North Country Voices will present a Christmas Choral Concert, The Magic of Christmas!  on Sunday December 8 at 3:00 pm at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church on Route 49 in Coudersport and on Saturday December 14 at 3:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Galeton.

Singing a varied program of sacred and secular music, the program will begin with a rousing arrangement of the traditional German Carol by Craig Courtney “How Great Our Joy!”. The theme of Bethlehem is woven into three separate compositions. “Lully, Lulla, Lullay” known as the  “Coventry Carol” which refers to the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, a Nigerian Carol  entitled Betelehemu, Bethlehem, the city of wonder which will be sung in the original West African language of Yoruba and lastly, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” the traditional carol which Dan Forrest has beautifully arranged with a haunting piano and soprano saxophone accompaniment. Adding to the festive nature of the program, the chorus will sing the ever-popular pairing of “The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” and the closing composition will be an inspiring performance of a wonderful Carol Suite that highlights Christmas music of the British Isles, including such familiar carols as What Child Is This, Deck the Hall and Joy to the World.

The performers include sopranos: Megan Ambrose,  Barbara Busch, Carol Empson, Miriam Howe, Carol Smith, Gretchen Songster, Betty Wallace and Bonnie Wright.  Alto: Donell Ayers,  Alice Buchanan, Mary Lou Embury, Julie Grossman, Hannah Howe, Marilyn Jestes, and Kathleen Wilson. Tenors: Greg Brink, Warren Cederholm, David Hauber, and Steve Sevinsky Basses: Jerry Bailey, Don Caskey, Stephen Daly, Joseph Kellert, John Sherer, and Tim Wright. The featured percussionist is Coudersport High School student Owen Wagner, and the featured instrumentalist is Tim Walck, music director in the Austin School District. The piano accompanist is Cindy Smith, and the choral director is Gloria Richardson.

There will be a free will offering and at the Coudersport performance light refreshments will be provided and both churches are handicapped accessible. We hope that you will be able to join us to celebrate the Magic of Christmas!