Locals can enjoy a Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas performance at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Mancos United Methodist Church.
Come fill your soul with music, music, music. All concerts are free and open to the public, choir member, Carol West, writes.
This years theme is called Christmas Soul.
So that means that we have some African melodies, and we also have some soul music from other countries, but in the form of traditional, Christmas music, Mancos Valley Chorus Director Kriss Larsen says, while acknowledging the contradiction in terms.
Music from this years shows include three songs from Africa, including a rock song and a lullaby.
Two songs will honor the winter solstice, one of which was written by choir member Janet Emmons.
It is about ... the turning of the sun, so the words are ... In the midst of winter on the longest, darkest night the earth decides to turn and face the sun, West says.
More traditional music includes The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy, The Coventry Carol and Great, Great Joy!
Choir member Linda Bellush has rewritten lyrics to the traditional Christmas carol The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Lynn Robb will perform Bellushs humorous, localized version of the song.
The group is also celebrating Lloyd McNeils return to their choir. The world-class whistler wasnt able to perform with Mancos Valley Group for the last couple of seasons, West says.
But hes back this year, and everybodys really happy that hes back, West says. And hes really happy that hes back.
In addition to whistling, McNeil will play the ukelele and sing a Hawaiian Christmas carol.
Were keeping our fingers crossed, West says about the choirs hope that trumpet player Bob Newnan will be able to accompany them this weekend.
Regular choir member Curtis Storm, a music teacher in Cortez, will perform Gesu Bambino.
Storms wife, Nicole Storm, will accompany the choir on flute.
A Place in the Choir from Tuesdays performance for local schoolchildren at the Mancos Opera House will be one of this years songs in the choirs hour-long performances.
Its about all the critters that have a place in the choir, West says.
Other performances will include solos, duets and an ensemble singing a round, West says.
Mancos Valley Chorus will end with its traditional request: audience participation.
This years grand finale, for all to join in the merriment, showcases the song Joy to the World.
Its a very interesting program, Larsen says of this years set list.
This is the 11th year the choir has enjoyed the direction of Larsen, who has joked about being a human metronome.
Shes fabulous, West says. She has more energy and when she directs, she just dances, so watching her is fun.
The choral groups members stretch far and wide with singers and musicians who travel from all around the Four Corners area to share in their joy of music.
Mancos Valley Chorus celebrates twice a year with a variety of performances during the Christmas season and spring.
Anybodys welcome, if you love to sing. It isnt like you have to have a trained voice, West says of the volunteer performers. So its really nice to be able to participate. Its a community thing. Theres people from Mancos, Cortez, Yellow Jacket and Durango who come to sing.
Mancos Valley Chorus usually practices for about 12 weeks at Mancos United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grande Ave., before offering free, public performances.
They pay $20 in dues, accept donations and have sponsors in order to operate under the nonprofit, Mancos Valley Resources.
For more information, visit mancosvalleychorus.org.
Reach Nathalie Winch at [email protected].
