Community Christmas Concert includes around 100 performers
Dec. 7—Approximately 100 singers and musicians are set to contribute their talents to this holiday season's Dec. 9 Community Christmas Concert.
"Everything's ready," said Rodney "Maestro" Briggs, who will conduct the choir and orchestra for the event.
The free concert is billed as the McAlester Community Choir with Orchestra Ensemble presents the Baby in the Manger Christmas Concert.
It's set for 7 p.m. on Saturday night at S. Arch Thompson Auditorium, 201 E. Adams Ave., making it one of the first major Christmas events in the city.
Doors open at 6 p.m., an hour before the concert begins.
Lots of singers and musicians are participating.
"We have nearly 80 in the choir," Briggs said. Musicians include a 19-piece orchestra ensemble, which includes a string quintet consisting of two violins, a viola, a cello and a bass. Also included in the orchestra ensemble are woodwinds, brass and percussion. Additional musicians include pianist Gary Boyd and guitarist Joey Clark.
A special treat is planned for those who attend the event.
"Following the concert, the Puterbaugh Center is hosting a punch and cookie reception," with everyone who attended the concert invited, Briggs said. Since the Puterbaugh Center is on the same street as S. Arch Thompson Auditorium, hosts are asking concert attendees to walk the few blocks east along Adams Avenue for the reception, to avoid traffic and parking congestion.
All that remains to complete concert preparations are a few details and a series of final rehearsals.
"We'll finish a few final touches Friday night and early Saturday," Briggs said.
A rehearsal with the orchestra members, many of whom live out of town, is set for Saturday morning. A final full rehearsal with orchestra and chorus will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Briggs said this year's concert features another exciting lineup.
"We'll have more solos this year than last," Briggs said, with a duet and a trio performance also planned.
Songs range from traditional and classic to new and contemporary.
"We have an arrangement of 'Silent Night' with the traditional melody with a brand new accompaniment arrangement," Briggs said.
He referred to a song with unique lyrics, titled "Oh Come All You Unfaithful." Another new contemporary Christmas song is titled "Let the Stable Still Astonish."
Another song features a cello and an English horn, Briggs said. Also on the concert program is a song called "Enniscorthy Carol," a traditional Christmas carol that originated from County Wexford in Ireland.
Briggs is also enthused about the final song selection, which features a powerful introduction which may surprise some listeners when the concert finale is revealed.
Those are only a few of the performances planned for the concert.
"I think there's something for everyone," said Briggs.
Community Choir members have met once a week to rehearse since the summer.
"We passed out music at the end of August and we started practicing every Monday night," Briggs said.
The Community Christmas Concert is sponsored by the McAlester Area Arts and Humanities Council, along with others friends and supporters of the arts.
Briggs said this year's concert has the most sponsors ever, with approximately 40 businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to the event.
Why does he think this year's concert has more sponsors than previous ones?
"It's become a popular event," Briggs said, with the Community Christmas Concert marking its 14th anniversary this year.
"We have good support that allows us to offer it free to the community," said Briggs.