If you love the sounds of four-part harmony, you won’t want to miss the Color Country Chorus Christmas program at 7 p.m. on Monday evening. This program is part of the “Christmas in the Tabernacle” series and is free.
Local musical artistic director Adam Scott conducts the chorus and submits that lovers of music of the season are in for a treat with a Sweet Adeline group and, as Scott says, “some religious, some classic oldies, but goodies.” A barbershop quartet, the Rocky Mountain Revival Show, comprised of the voices of Patrick Abernathy, David Gilgen, Nathan Holden, and Dale Parks, will be featured as well.
Scott began singing in the chorus he now directs before he was a teenager and always seemed a natural on stage. His father John was the conductor then–someone Scott considers his mentor–along with the late Dr. Val Hicks and Dr. Ken Peterson of Dixie State College.
Scott graduated from Utah State University in music conducting and now teaches music in the Washington County School District to special needs students. In addition to composing commissioned works, he arranges and writes music, which can be found with Music House Publications. Some of his arrangements will be featured on the Tabernacle program.
Across town the same evening at the Eccles on the campus of Dixie State College, Scott’s former high school music teacher, Norman Lister, leads another vocal performance, featuring Lieto! a group he formed in 2003. The event is called “A Christmas Celebration” and begins at 7:30 p.m.
Lister, a veteran music educator for more than three decades, formed Lieto! for a special reason.
“Former students asked me if I would conduct a choir where they could keep singing,” he said. “Since then, other members of the community have joined in.”
“Lieto” means “joyful” or “happy” in Italian and conveys the mindset of choir members as they perform exquisite music by classical and contemporary composers. One of the numbers Lieto! will present is a version of “O Christmas Tree,” originally written for the Canadian Brass and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Along with the choir, a brass ensemble will be featured at the concert.
Another treat is Michael Clawson’s arrangement of “The First Noel” combined with “Pachelbel’s Canon.” Choir member Leslie Paterson describes this as a “true masterpiece.” She also suggests listening for the German classic “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” plus the French carol “Sing Noel: A Christmas Fanfare”–and there’s lots more,” Paterson added.
Kris Barber, Lieto! assistant conductor said, The concert is free for all our friendly supporters and is our way of saying ‘Merry Christmas’ to our wonderful community.”
I love this season of the year, especially for the music that so many generously and genuinely provide. The dilemma is: How can I be in two places at once?
Merry Christmas, everyone!