Charles City Singers to raise Christmas cheer

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 7:30 P.M., SATURDAY, DEC. 5, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Charles City Singers to raise Christmas cheer

Old favorites, new songs join concert

For their annual Christmas concert, the Charles City Singers like to keep things diversified.

“We do some spiritual numbers, upbeat numbers that are pretty much crowd favorites. We’re also doing things that stretch us quite a bit chorally,” Steve Heitbrink, the choir’s temporary director since 1986, said. “It stretches the musicianship of our members. I try to think of some variations, so there’s always something that people will enjoy, but also do things that are challenging enough for our group so that we don’t get bored.”

Thirty-two members and accompanist Jeannine Mills will take the stage at Trinity United Methodist Church, ranging in musical experience from master’s degrees to hobbyists who enjoy choral music.

“I’ve been very blessed with some outstanding individuals who are singing,” Heitbrink said. “We had our last rehearsal (Monday), and they are singing extremely well.”

Audience members are also invited to join in on the traditional carols at parts of the show, a tradition going back about thirty years, Heitbrink said.

“I think people enjoy that.

They kind of enjoy getting involved in the program,” he said.

The Christmas concert is one of two annual shows the Singers perform. Starting in January, the Singers will begin practicing their set for April 18 before taking time off in the summer while Heitbrink plans the music for the next season’s show.

“I go to two reading sessions a year in the summer, where choral directors get together and sing through the new literature being put out for the year,” he said. “A lot of the tunes we sing are ones people have never heard before.”

And, with 41 years in the books, the Singers have a healthy archive to choose music from and two original charter members still singing –– Phyllis Meyer and Sue Davis.

“We have a very extensive library now,” Heitbrink said.

“There’s quite a bit of history there.”

Community members interested in joining the Charles City Singers are encouraged to visit a rehearsal, Heitbrink said, which take place Mondays at 5:15 p.m. in Trinity United Methodist Church, and generally run an hour and a half. “See if this is something they really might enjoy doing,” Heitbrink said. “It’s not a real intense audition basis, but we’re always looking for new people.” “It’s our sincere hope that we’re just getting started as far as how long we’re going to be here,” he added.

By Kate Hayden khayden@charlescitypress.com