Community Chorus Celebrates 35th Year with Annual Christmas Concert

Born in 1976, the bi-centennial year of the founding of the American Republic, the Enfield Community Chorus celebrates its 35^th year with the Annual Christmas Concert this weekend. With shows on Saturday and Sunday at the Hazardville United Methodist Church, the group features over 50 singers performing holiday music to an always packed house.

For twenty years, the chorus was under the direction of Alice Allen, who led the first performance in 1976 celebrating “200 Years of American Music.” Ginny Davis serves as the current director of the chorus.

This year's performance, called “The Enfield Community Chorus Presents: The Annual Christmas Concert,” will feature two parts. The first half of the show will feature lighter Christmas music, and the second half will be a contata, a retelling of the Christmas story set to music. The narration for the contata has featured celebrity readers including local pastors and sometimes the mayor, according to Chorus president Joyce Young.

The Enfield Community Chorus began rehearsals for the show shortly after Labor Day, and has been meeting weekly at the church to learn the music. Stafford Springs resident Jonathan O'Brien provides the piano accompaniment for the pieces. The piano is the primary music instrument, but some pieces utilize maracas, tambourines, and the occasional flute and bells.

The chorus is comprised of local volunteers. Most reside in Enfield, but also from surrounding towns Somers, East Windsor, and Windsor Locks. Volunteers generally have some background in singing, and the group seeks members every September.

“The Chorus always has more women than men,” said Young, “probably about 40 to 15.”

There is no charge for the concert, though a collection plate is passed around during the performances.

“We are not officially affiliated with the Hazardville United Methodist Church, but they let us use the facility for free, which is why we don't need much fundraising,” said Young.

Young herself spent eighteen years in the Travelers Chorale when she worked at the insurance company. She also sang in her choir at church and served as a substitute organist.

The two performances will be Saturday, December 3, 2011 beginning at 7:00 p.m. And Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. At the Hazardville United Methodist Church. The shows run approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.