After a month of hard work and practice, the Christmas Choraliers, led by Diane Maxey, are ready to hit the stage.
“Rehearsals have been going very, very well,” Maxey said.
“The people are very serious about it and the sound is beautiful as parts come together. We have over 70 singers so it’s going to be very nice.
“We’re just hoping to see everybody out and enjoy a little bit of the festive season with us,” she added.
Rather than presenting a more traditional Christmas cantata, the Choraliers will be singing a collection of the best-selling Christmas anthems from leading arrangers, and Maxey noted it will be different from what has been done in the past.
“There is no narration,” she explained.
“There is one little section in there, but it’s not a narrated–it’s not the typical cantata they’ve heard us do.”
The first show the Choraliers will perform will be at Rainycrest on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m., which is not technically open to the public but will no doubt bring holiday cheer to residents’ ears.
The next show will be at the Zion Lutheran Church in International Falls on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m., with the final show taking place at the Townshend Theatre the following weekend, Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3:00 p.m..
Maxey noted that both the Sunday shows will have freewill offerings at the door, which Maxey said partly goes towards helping the choir.
“Zion and Fort have a freewill offering, and the one here stays with us,” she said.
“The one over there is split between the church and ourselves, that goes to whatever cause they want–sometimes it’s the Food Shelf. That’s how we do Zion, just as a little thank you for letting us be there.”
The show at the Townshend Theatre will also feature a bake sale to raise additional funds.
Maxey is encouraging everyone to turn out to one of the shows to support local music and get themselves in the holiday spirit.
“We hope everybody comes out,” she said.
“It’s a good way to start off the Christmas season.”
