STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Hear the feel-good songs of the holidays presented the Caritas way when the Caritas Chorale presents two free holiday concerts this weekend.
The Caritas Chorale will present the first at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec., 1 and the second at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Both will be presented at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater in Hailey.
They will sing such traditional carols as “O Come, O Come Emanuel,” “Away in a Manger,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” “I Saw Three Ships” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”
They will also include two Spanish carols—“Villancico” and “A La Nanita Nana.”
The program will conclude with the hauntingly beautiful “Something Told the Wild Geese,” which the Chorale performed at the grand opening of the Argyros Performing Arts Center. Also, a Hanukkah song, “One Light,” with its line “One light, flickering bright, mark the passage of every night, embers of remembrance in your glow.”
The theme of this year’s holiday concerts is “Remembering Decembers.” And it’s designed to evoke fond memories of snow, holiday lights, Christmas trees, Hanukkah candles, warm gatherings of family and friends and music, said Richard Stahl, the Chorale president.
“One line of the song says, ‘I saw life through the eyes of a child.’ I hope people will take time this holiday season to listen to the music—and remember Decembers,” he added.
The Chorale, now in its 20th year, has grown to 70 voices with young and old stepping on the risers. The choir is open to anyone, no audition needed.
“We cannot imagine a more important time to keep music alive in our community,” said Chorale Director R.L. Rowsey. “And so we look forward to every opportunity to share our work for free in the Wood River Valley.”
THERE’S MORE:
The Caritas Choral will also perform its annual Holiday Sing-Along Concert at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum. Attendees are asked to bring gifts of non-perishable food items or money for The Hunger Coalition.
No auditions are needed to join the chorale. For more information, visit www.caritaschorale.org.