Christmas concert on tap for Sunday in Sterling

The Master Chorale, under the direction of Don Johnson, with accompanists Mary Smith and Elsie Fetzer will present its annual Christmas Concert – the 23rd NOEL – on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Sterling Middle School.

The first half of the program will feature the John Rutter Carols singing “Joy To The World.” Other carols and hymns arranged by Rutter will includes: “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming,” “‘Twas In the Moon of Winter Time,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” and many others.

After a brief intermission, the program will continue with “Gesu Bambino” sung by soprano soloist, Katie Warner, accompanied by Mary Smith on the piano. The next piece will be “Christmas Prairie Girl,” featuring a duet by Nita and Richard Gillham, accompanied by Sam Edgar on violin, Lee Lippstrew and Don Johnson on guitars and Annette Lambrecht on accordion.

“The Christmas Sock Rock,” followed by “On With the Snow” will showcase the RE1 Valley Children’s Chorale, directed by Annette Lambrecht and Dana May. The Master Chorale then continues with a variety of songs.

The “Sinfonia” for the concert will include: Mary L. Smith, piano; Elsie Fetzer, organ; Sam Edgar, Lindsey Green, and Camille Rose, violin; Phil Found, cello; Matt Heimbegner, oboe; Tara Edelen, flute; Bryony Trump, clarinet; Janelle Nicholaus and Annette Lambrecht, saxophone; Jeff Spielman, bassoon; Kim Schlup, trumpet; Roy Pfaltzgraff, euphonium.

The Master Chorale members will include: Sopranos: Madison Applegate, Ana Avitia, Linda Batty, Mona Bowey, Emma Coles, Emily Diener, Nita Gillham, Annette Lambrecht, Montelle Martens, Cyntera May, Christine Penner, Debbie Rivers, April Squier, Bryony Trump, Jeneen Trump, Alissa Waitley, Katie Warner, Lisa Wolever and Debbi Wyatt; Altos: Meghan Anderson, Nancy Bohac, Paula Burton, Audrey Carey, Tara Edelen, Sharon Edgar, Elsie Fetzer, Sandy Gibson, Mandy Grippin, Terri Harms, Deborah Harris, Rita House, Constance Johnson, Hanna Johnson, Lila Koch, Kathleen Kloberdanz, Sharon Ladd, Arika Lippstrew, Nancy Mann, Dana May, Raenah May, Erika McMahon, Deb Montgomery, Kori Penfold and Alicia Thompson; Tenors: Jerry Applegate, Norman Berry, Anthony Garralda, Scott Glissmann, Jim Leh, Lee Lippstrew, Donna Logan, Jacob Reyes, Corey Schellenger, Jerry Skaggs, Devin Troy and B.J. Walters; and Bass: Don Carey, Tony Cristello, Larry Fetzer, Richard Gillham, Bryan Kaiser, J. Curtis Kimball, Michael Kiser, Roy Pfaltzgraff, Clark Scriven, David Troy, Dustin Troy and Mark Walters.

Tickets for the performance are $10 and may be purchased at KC’s Music & Electronics, MegaMusic, Family Food Market, Das Locken Haus II, and from Master Chorale members, or by calling Larry Fetzer at (970) 522-1015.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door the day of the performance. Students and children under the age of 12, when accompanied by an adult, are admitted free.