Chamber Singers of Southeast Iowa to perform holiday concert Dec. 14-15

FAIRFIELD – The Chamber Singers of Southeast Iowa will present their annual holiday concert on two nights this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15.

Both concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. inside Golden Magnolia Sanctuary at 200 S. Main St., a block south of the square. This year’s concert is titled “O Be Joyful!” and will include “beautiful songs of rejoicing, reflection, celebration, winter memories, and wishes for peace,” according to the choir’s director, Elaine Reding. Reding added that two carol medleys, back by popular demand, will close the evening.

“Most of this music we have not performed previously,” Reding said. “Maybe only four or five songs are we repeating from past concerts. That’s why we rehearse a lot, to bring new music to audiences.”

Reding said the music ranges from the Renaissance to modern selections, “with songs in exquisite settings both familiar and new.” As it has been for several years, the choir will be accompanied by an instrumental trio of Paul Skevington on organ and piano, Karen Aoki Kouider on flute, and Rosalind Stowe on the viola da gamba and percussion.

“This year’s musical gems celebrate the joy, peace, and love of the holiday season,” said Reding. “During these turbulent times, we want to reawaken the spirit of unity and togetherness that we all hold dear, especially at this time of year. We hope these songs will enliven the spirit of the holidays for everyone, and we’re looking forward to sharing them with you.”

The Chamber Singers of Southeast Iowa have performed a holiday concert for the past 33 years, even during the pandemic, when the choir held a “concert for themselves” at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. Though the chamber singers have held major anniversary concerts in the convention center, their concerts are normally at Golden Magnolia Sanctuary, dating back to 2006, when it was then the Fairfield Presbyterian Church.

The choir contains 20 members, three of whom are new this year: June Ellinghaus, Amy Devlin and Roxy Devlin. A few singers have been with the group since its founding, such as Penny Fitz-Randolph and Gerry Geer. Reding said at least five singers have been with the group for 20 years.

“We’re always open to new singers, to expanding the group,” Reding said. “Some music knowledge is necessary to sing with us, and everyone who has some degree of knowledge, we’re happy to accept.”

Reding said the two concerts aren’t really a fundraiser per se, and the money raised at the event is just intended to cover the cost of building and equipment rentals, and for the instrumentalists.

“We’re not here to make money,” Reding said. “We could be, but never have been. We just want to give joy to the community.”

Tickets for the concert are $10 at the door. For more information, call 641-472-1539.

The singers in the group are as follows: Amber Adkins, Sarah Chell, Amy Devlin, Roxy Devlin, Josh Ellinghaus, Mary Ellinghaus, Penny Fitz-Randolph, Gerry Geer, June Humphreys, Susie James, Mosie Lasagna, Debra Levitsky, Tom Makeig, Emily Phippen, Bernd Schoel, Madeline Starling, Alexandra Stimson, Christiane Thompson, Evelyn Toft and Bob Wiegert.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com