Christmas Night.

On Saturday, December 17, we welcomed the community to our December concert, Christmas Night. Even with the snow and ice, St. Paul's Lutheran Church was full and we were able to sing Christmas favorites and create music with the Reading High School Choir.

The evening started with "The Hills Are Bare At Bethlehem" by Ralph Johnson, "Christmas Night" by John Rutter, featuring a duet sung by Laura Leutheuser and Ellie Tucker.  "Ave Maria" by Javier Busto and "The Friendly Beasts" by Stephen Paulus followed, featuring soloists Anne Schmitt and Tim Voss with Debbi Wyse on the harp.

​Willhousky's "Carol of the Bells", Rutter's "Angels' Carol", and Meader's "The First Noel" were also performed, featuring soloists Michael Blanchard and Chloe Tritchka-Stuchell.

As part of our commitment to creating connections with the broader choral community, Conductor Andrea VanDuesen approached Mr. Josh Sholler, Reading High School Choir Director.

​VanDuesen's goal of the collaboration was to provide singers with an opportunity to sing and perform alongside members of choral ensembles with whom they wouldn't normally engage.

​They did just that while performing Elizabeth Campbell's "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen", Mac Huff's "What Christmas Means to Me", and Victor Johnson's "African Noel" with Joey Weidmayer on percussion.

The combined choirs then performed Rutter's "The Holly and the Ivy", and Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory's "Hope for Resolution" featuring a small ensamble with Brietta Allen, Linda Potter, Lauren Routledge, and Raegan Routledge.

​Please plan to join us at our next concert, Wrapped in Song, on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 3 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale. For tickets, please call 517.849.2410.