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G ranville Area Chorus concerts always present a wide variety of musical styles from various periods and different composers. This year’s Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at the South Granville Congregational Church is no exception. From the contemporary “Glory to God in the Highest” to “Christmas Day,” a piece combining several old carols, to “All on a Bethlehem Night,” accompanied by flutes and conga drum, the concert promises a delightful array of seasonal music.
Directed by Crystal Everdyke and accompanied by Brynn Knipes, the 30-voice chorus of men and women from all over the area sings of this festive, yet meaningful time of year.
“Sing Gloria” incorporates “Joy to the World” in its fast-paced celebration of Christ’s birth, while “And the Angels Sing” seeks to spread the good news. “Rejoice and Be Merry” continues the expression of happiness.
One of everyone’s favorite Christmas hymns has to be “O Holy Night.” Here the altos and sopranos alternate verses with the tenors and basses, the parts uniting for the moving chorus. “O Come to Us Emmanuel” is a modern hymn that focuses on the human need for divine guidance.
The familiar carol “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” is followed by “Angels in Seven.” It is actually “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing,” but you never heard it like this. Arranged in ¾ and 4/4 time, the rhythm gives this traditional carol a new feeling.
Going back to the meditative aspect of the season, “A Time for Hope, a Time for Joy” asks us to remember the message of peace and love all year. “Believe,” from the movie “The Polar Express,” includes the lyric “You have everything you need if you just believe.”
The conga drum will bring you back to the happy expectation of Christmas in “Soon and Very Soon” followed by the popular seasonal song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” “He made a Way in a Manger” finishes the chorus’ part of the program, but it isn’t over. The chorus will join the audience, encircling them, and Ms. Everdyke will invite everyone to join in the singing of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from his “Messiah.” Singers in the audience will be invited to stand and join their part of the chorus and share music, though you already know most of the words.
A reception will be held downstairs in the church hall after the performance, catered by the ladies of the South Granville Church. Admission is free, though a free- will offering will be accepted to defray the cost of music.
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