Diane Maxey, director of the Choraliers Community Choir, was very pleased with the performance her singers gave Sunday afternoon in the Christmas cantata at St. Mary’s Church here.
The performance, which was entitled “Meet Him at the Manger,” was a celebration of the holiday season through song from the 46 members of the group.
“We have been doing this for the past 10 years,” said Maxey. “I missed last year because I could not get the music books I normally get. Now I send away for the books to the company that makes them in Tennessee.
“It is a tradition that we do every year, and we all love it very much. In a way, it sort of kicks off Christmas.”
Susan Reynolds, a visitor here for the holidays, was very impressed by the performance.
“I am from Thunder Bay and I usually don’t get the chance to hear things like this,” Reynolds said. “I just loved the performance so much. I especially liked ‘Silent Night’ and the way they sang it.
“It really makes it feel like Christmas when you hear music like that.”
In addition to their cantata at Christmas, the choir also has performed at Easter–something Maxey is looking forward to planning again next year.
“I am planning to put on another Easter concert in [2001],” she noted. “I had an Easter concert some time back, and it was such a success that people asked me to do it again.
“I am even planning to get a children’s choir together to do some performances.”
Though membership in the Choraliers is high, Maxey is always looking for new voices to join.
“I want to encourage people to come out and sing with us,” she enthused. “The only criteria that I have is that I want people who are able to hold a tune and follow along with the songs.
“I don’t hold any formal auditions but I do like to have people who can sing a little,” she continued. “You don’t have to be a professional singer but I am looking for someone with a good voice.”
Maxey is hoping that if more people become part of the choir, she will be able to focus her attention on some other projects she wants to get underway, as well as participate in some of the singing herself.
“If I can get some more people to join us, then I would really like to form a smaller choir,” Maxey admitted. “I am also hoping to have a spring concert where we will do show tunes and Broadway hits.
“Eventually, I am hoping that I will get the chance to do some singing myself. It is my first love and I miss having the chance to do it more.
“Hopefully, with some new people joining, I will get the chance to do it again.”
For more information on how to join the Choraliers, contact Maxey at 274-7309.