Smoot Children’s Chorus to hold Christmas show
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PARKERSBURG --The Smoot Theatre Youth Vocal Ensembles will present a Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church on Juliana St.
The choral groups are the Smoot Theatre Children's Chorus, now in its 14th year, the Smoot Theatre Boys Ensemble, in its 12th year, and the Smoot Theatre Girls Ensemble, in its ninth year.
The Children's Chorus will begin with its traditional processional "Jubilate Deo" from the 17th century and will continue with seasonal favorites and multicultural selections. The performances will include: a contemporary arrangement of "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Gustav Holst, featuring flutist Melissa Herceg; an arrangement of two traditional spirituals, "Go Tell It, Children!" and "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy"; and a traditional carol from the West Indies featuring percussionists from Hamilton Middle School. The Children's Chorus will end its portion of the concert with "Joyeux Noel!" an arrangement of French carols.
Performing next will be the Fifth Street Boys, a small ensemble from the boys group. It will present "Huron Carol," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and "Let There Be Peace on Earth"
The Girls Ensemble will begin with Jacob Clemens' "Sanctus" from the 16th century, continuing with the Scottish lullaby "Ally Bally Bee," the traditional English "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," the contemporary "Et In Terra Pax" by M. L. Lightfoot and ending with "Jingle Bells (Sort of)."
The last group to perform will be the Boys Ensemble, which will present "Dominus Vobiscum" by Jacob Narverud, featuring soloist Owen McCrady. It will continue with "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." followed by the two Greg Gilpin arrangements "Ding-a-Ding-a-Ding" and "Adeste Fideles."
In the final section, all the choirs will combine to sing "A Wreath of Carols," a medley of well-known carols and will end the program with "Peace, Peace" with the audience joining in the singing of "Silent Night." The Children's Chorus is an auditioned choir of fourth, fifth and sixth graders from the Mid-Ohio Valley who meet for weekly rehearsals and music instruction by the staff that includes Director Barbara Full, Accompanist Marsha Parsons, and Smoot Director Felice Jorgeson.
The Boys Ensemble is a group of boys in grades seven and above and is directed by Janet Blessing, accompanist is Kim Vineyard; the girls group is girls in grades seven and above and is directed by Catherine Martin with accompanist is Pamela McClain.
The concert is free with donations gratefully accepted. Trinity Episcopal Church at 430 Juliana St. is handicap accessible and has ample parking available for the Saturday afternoon event.