This year’s lineup for the Bluff Country Singers annual Christmas concerts on Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. should dispel any lingering doubts you may have about whether or not to attend. The mixed choral group, performing at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, has grown to an all-time high of 54 voices and features a dynamic mix of traditional and leading-edge arrangements.
The first set of the concert serves as a great example of Director Elliott Grandall’s skills at music selection and conducting, beginning with a brisk new Marty Parks arrangement of the standard “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” followed by a contemplative and stirring arrangement of “Oh Child of the Nations.” Next, the spiritual “Keep Your Lamps!,” which is often sung in a rather brisk tempo, will be delivered in a haunting, almost chant-like manner perhaps more in keeping with the yearning from the heart of the slave singer. Then, just like dessert after a sumptuous feast, you are invited to enjoy the Mel Torme and Robert Wells classic “Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) in a new Mark Hayes arrangement that also showcases the extremely fine keyboard skills of accompanist Kris Shorter.
Soloist tenor James Engesser takes the stage next with an inspired performance of the Franz Schubert composition “Ave Maria,” after which the singers return with the spare, thought provoking, “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.” Then, swing your way into the bright, jazzy, “Winter Wonderland” and prepare for the jubilant declaration of “Christmastime,” with the addition of Our Savior’s Jubilee Bell Choir. The BCS tenors and basses gather to serenade you with “Feliz Navidad”before a brief intermission during which a free will offering will be gathered to help with on-going expenses for sheet music.
It’s difficult to describe the next selection, “Out of the Orient Crystal Skies,” except to say that even though the tune is rooted in the chants of the late middle ages, you are quite likely to be humming the tune for days to come. The rich tones of Pam Freet at the cello will then serve to enhance your mood as she accompanies the traditional Austrian Carol, “Still, Still, Still.” And, lest you begin taking things too seriously, the “Holiday Tango” arrives.
Of course, no Christmas season would be complete without at least one stirring pipe organ piece and this concert will not disappoint as David Grandall takes to the keyboard of the mighty Our Savior’s instrument in a toccata on “Adele Fideles/Oh Come, All Ye Faithful.” The Singers then return with violinist Jessica Daly to close with the soul-stirring “Celtic Christmas Blessing,” and a jubilant traditional spiritual “Jesus, What a Wonderful Child.”
Leave a Reply