FOR CITY TIMES

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The Wisconsin Rapids Area Community Choir presents “Songs of the Season” on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 311 Second St. South in Wisconsin Rapids. There is no admission charge to attend, but free-will donations will be accepted. 

The concert may be watched live by following the on-air live link on the First Congregational Church website at http://www.wisrapidsucc.net. It may also be watched later on Wisconsin Rapids Community Media television. For more information, go to www.wr-cm.org.

The Wisconsin Rapids Area Community Choir is now in its 19th year of singing together, but this will be the choir’s first public performance since December of 2019, due to the pandemic. The choir is under the direction of Cyd Cooper, Conductor and Mary Englert, Accompanist. 

This concert will feature more than forty singers of all ages from communities throughout the Wisconsin Rapids area. You will hear many music selections, including contemporary arrangements of holiday favorites, newly-composed pieces and traditional carols. Some of the singers’ favorites include a very creative arrangement of God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, incorporating music from The Nutcracker Suite with four hand piano accompaniment played by Vicky Dresser and Mary Englert, a very beautiful arrangement of Ave Maria by Italian Baroque composer Giulio Caccini, featuring violinist Ginger Marten, Lincoln High School Orchestra Director, and a medley of songs from Irving Berlin’s famous movie White Christmas. Perhaps the most inspiring selection the choir will perform will be Light Beyond Shadow by contemporary choral composer Dan Wigmore, written during the events of 2020 and featuring poet Paul Wigmore’s exquisite text invoking light, joy, love, peace and hope. Throughout the concert the audience members will be invited to sing along with the choir on several beloved and well-known carols, accompanied by Christian Stromley on organ.

“The mission of the Wisconsin Rapids Area Community Choir is to provide a creative outlet for people to come together to sing quality choral music for the enjoyment of its members and the community.” All area singers are welcome to come and sing with the choir, no audition necessary. Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The first rehearsal of the spring semester will be on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.

For more information, go to the choir’s page on Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/accwisrapids.