Klamath Chorale: Thank Heaven for Christmas
/
The Ross Ragland Theater will present the Klamath Chorale’s annual holiday choral concert, THANK HEAVEN FOR CHRISTMAS, on Sunday, December 3rd, at 2:00 p.m. The 90-voice community choir is directed by Robin Schwartz and accompanied by Slippery Bill Eaton.
The all-volunteer singing group will perform songs that celebrate the joy of the holiday season, including large scale choral works in unique arrangements along with solos, duets and small ensembles.
Reserved tickets are priced at $15 for adults, plus transaction fees, with discounts available for students, seniors and members of the military. Reserved tickets are available in advance at the Ross Ragland Theater box office during regular business hours, online at www.rrtheater.org or by calling 541-844-LIVE. Tickets will also be sold at the door beginning at 12:00 noon on the day of the concert.
Weekly rehearsals for the choral group’s annual holiday concert began in mid-September and twice-weekly rehearsals are held for several weeks leading up to the concert. “We pride ourselves on presenting an entertaining and meaningful musical celebration of the season,” says Robin Schwartz, the group’s director since 2009.
“In addition,” he notes, “this concert is especially dedicated to celebrating Klamath Falls’ Annual Snowflake Festival, the theme of which is ‘Tis The Season To Be Thankful’”.
The program for THANK HEAVEN FOR CHRISTMAS will include a wide range of seasonal music, including well-known songs such as “Carol Of The Bells”, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, “What Child Is This?”, “Holy Night, Silent Night”, “The First Noel” combined with “Pachelbel’s Canon”, “Breath Of Heaven”, “Angels From The Realms Of Glory”, “Mary, Did You Know?’ and “Heaven and Nature Sing”, among many others.
In addition, the concert will also feature special arrangements of songs such as “White Christmas”, “Swingin’ At Santa’s Place”, “Goin’ To Bethlehem”, “Over The River And Through The Woods”, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”, “Fum Fum Fantasy” and an entertaining version of “Jingle Bells”, entitled “Nutcracker Jingles”.
Several of the musical selections will also feature instrumental solos or accompaniment, including flute, guitar, violin, four hands at the piano and special guest appearances.
The Klamath Chorale was formed in 1979 as the Klamath Symphonic Choir and has performed one or two concerts each year ever since. It is the largest all-volunteer choir in the Klamath Basin, having grown from 40 members to over 90 members in recent years, and is made up of people who love to sing choral music. Seasonal dues help defray the cost of purchasing music and presenting concerts.
Robin Schwartz has directed the Klamath Chorale since 2009. He is, himself, a well-known performer and popular vocal soloist and is an instructor and choir director at O.I.T. and the director of music for BBC Ministries.
The long-time accompanist for the Chorale, Slippery Bill Eaton, is also well-known locally as a director of musical theatre and for a wide variety of special musical events. He has directed and been musically involved in productions at both the Ross Ragland Theater and at the Linkville Playhouse and at many other venues in and around the Klamath Basin.
For more information about the concert, which will be two hours long and is suitable for all ages, telephone Charles Cossey, the production coordinator, at 541-884-8484.
The Ross Ragland Theater’s mission is to provide high-quality performing arts and educational experiences that enhance community life in the Klamath Basin. The Ross Ragland Theater is located at 218 North 7th Street in Klamath Falls. Telephone 541-884-LIVE (5483) for ticket information and reservations or visit the theater’s website at www.rrtheater.org to purchase tickets online and learn more about the theater. The box office is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and two hours prior to show time the day of any weekend show.