December! Where has the year gone to?

Well at least we can send it off in the spirit of the season, thanks to our Evergreen Singers and their marvelous director, Charlene Moore. I asked Charlene what this year’s concert would include and as always received a full report. Now I can’t wait to attend.

For starters, we have a change of venue this year. Because of the renovations going on in our own building, this year’s holiday concert will be in the Sanctuary of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Please notice that this is not the Parish Hall where many of our classes are presently held, but the Church Sanctuary, which

St. Barnabas has made available to us for this very special event.

When asked about the concert, Charlene said, “The program is a varied one, including music of Hanukkah, Christmas and fun holiday pops. The title of our program is “With Instruments and Voice.”

I wanted to play this year with the idea of each person being an instrument, whether that instrument is their own voice or one that they play. In some of our carols, the choir imitates drums and flutes, guitars and even bagpipes. Our special real instrumental guests are Patti Beasley on clarinet and Dennis Pryor on bongos. Being a wonderfully supportive instrument is Chris Smellow as piano accompanist.

“Selections include ‘Sing a Song of Merry Christmas,’ which is a round by Mozart, the beautiful ‘Ose Shalom (The One Who Makes Peace),’ and Christmas carols ‘Patapan,’ ‘Still, Still, Still,’ ‘Fum, Fum, Fum,’ ‘Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow’ and a charming Neapolitan carol, ‘Quando Nascette Ninno,’ which has been sung by shepherds in Italy for hundreds of years. We follow with some holiday pops and a new Christmas in ‘About Three Minutes,’ a fast-paced medley of holiday pops, all very scrambled and lots of fun for choir and audience. Rounding out the program are ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,’ and ‘Brazilian Christmas Carol.’”

Other choir news I learned from Charlene: The Evergreen Singers will be sporting a new look and dropping their kelly green scarves and sweaters. Connie Lamont of Lamont Designs, Inc. created a new palette for their concert attire. I’ve been assured that we’ll love the new look.

Charlene also wanted to mention the very generous bequest from Marjorie Beer and her family.

“It has enabled us to sponsor two incredibly special workshops and acquire new folders. For the spring, we’re planning to make CDs for our nursing home sing-alongs. The sing-alongs are such a hit at Messenger House that they would like to gather their residents to sing more often than we are able to go. We thought this project to be a great opportunity. These CDs may very well travel beyond the Island. I think it safe to say that our Evergreen Singers are a force in the community.”

And I think it’s safe to say that all of us at the senior center and beyond would agree. Their concerts consistently fill the room and never fail to surpass audience expectations with their ability to entertain. This year’s holiday concert is sure to match that standard. Don’t miss it!

Jot down the time and place in your date book now: Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church Sanctuary, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. I’ll see you there.