Choir performs annual benefit concerts

The choir will present its final concert on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Grace Baptist Community Church, 1280 W Jewett, White Salmon.

An offering will be received for FISH Food Bank during the Hood River concerts and the Evangelical Pastors Association and Mt. Adams Ministerial Associates emergency funds will benefit at the White Salmon concert.

The program will be a presentation of a cantata by Tom Fettke and Camp Kirkland entitled, "Canticle of Christmas."

The canticles, a hymn taken from the Bible, tell the Christmas story and include many of the favorite Christmas carols of the season.

"The 75 voice choir has been rehearsing since September and is ready to sing," says Perry Cole, director. "The choir will be accompanied by a 20 piece orchestra, which will dramatically enhance the sound of this year's concert from years past. I am pleased to have five young people, Ashley Stig, Caroline Young, Kristoff Decker, Seth Bell and Adam Ohlson featured as soloists. These young people are students of Lynn Thomas, who teaches voice locally and is the president of the Skamania Performing Arts Council."

Bob Van Alstine, retired founder of Mid Columbia Community Choir, will open the concert as guest director with a beautiful piece arranged by F. Melius Christensen entitled, "O Day Full of Grace." Van Alstine has indicated that he has wanted to perform this piece of music for some time since singing it several years ago in another choir.

The choir will end the program with a fairly new piece by David N. Childs, arranged for choir by Perry Cole, of the "Lord's Prayer."

Those in attendance will have an opportunity to sing some of the Christmas Carols while the choir surrounds the audience following the offering.

"We did this last year for the first time, and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to sing with the choir," says Perry.

"Come and start this season of giving with music by the Mid Columbia Community Choir," says Perry. "I guarantee that you will go away filled and blessed by the music."