SEQUIM — Christmas rejoicing, via music old and brand-new, starts tonight and goes all weekend with the Sequim Christmas Chorus, a 70-voice choir of singers who have been preparing since September.
The chorus will take the stage at 7:30 this evening and at 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the Sequim Bible Church, 847 N. Sequim Ave.
Tickets are $5, or free for children younger than 12. Proceeds will benefit Sequim Community Aid, which helps needy local individuals and families with basics such as rent and utility bills.
In each of the weekend’s three concerts, the festivities start with the Choral Fanfare for Christmas. Then come “Mary Did You Know,” “Rejoice! A King Is Born,” “The Birthday of a King,” “Who’s That Little Baby,” “For Christ Was Born of Mary Free,” “Silent Night” and “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”
Christmas Chorus director Gary McRoberts will invite concert-goers to join in singing some more carols, as well as “Peace, Peace” and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.”
Also in this, the Sequim Christmas Chorus’ 26th set of concerts, is a new addition: “The Newborn Christ,” by Sequim composer Karen Williamson.
“We’re particularly excited about debuting a new piece,” said McRoberts, adding that Williamson wrote “Newborn” especially for the Sequim chorus. She’ll accompany the singers on piano with Linda Bauer on organ.
“These concerts get the holiday season off to a joyous start,” said Nancy Dinan, who is both a singer in the chorus and the choir director at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Sequim.
The Sequim High School Brass Ensemble will play in the trio of concerts, which will also feature soloists and guest performers Brian Doig, Josh Smith, Pam Gordon, cellist Marlene Moore, violinist Brooke Jacobson and Johanna Jacobson.
Tickets will be available at the door. Patrons who prefer to purchase them in advance can do so at Frick’s at 609 W. Washington St.; Bauer Interior Design at 119 N. Sequim Ave.; and Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce at 1192 E. Washington St.
This chorus, which comes together during the last three months of each year to prepare for its Christmas concerts, is open to singers of all backgrounds, religions and levels of experience, noted coordinator Julie Jackson.
To learn more about the group, e-mail juliejackson@wavecable.com or phone 360-683-1355.