POLSON — Signs that Christmas is fast approaching are hitting the area like the blizzard Polson’s long overdue for. Snow is starting to fall, temperatures are beginning to plummet and people are starting to think about doing their last-minute shopping. But the holiday season in Lake County wouldn’t be complete without one standout performance.

The Mission Valley Choral Society helped ring in the Christmas season with a 16-number presentation on Sunday, Dec. 11.

Approximately 200 people filled the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson to listen to some of the area’s best voices sing several songs, as well as enjoy performances from the Flathead Flute Choir and Copeland Memorial Ringers.

“It varies from year to year, but we’re always gratified to have people come listen,” Mason Niblack, MVCS director, said of the turnout. “It’s very special for the singers.”

The choral society has been in existence since around 1954 and while they haven’t held a Christmas concert every year since then, they have recently made it an annual tradition. This year, the 21 MVCS members sang some of the classic Christmas songs, including “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” along with other lesser-known carols.

The MVCS was also joined by 12 Copeland Memorial Ringers and, for the first time, by the six-person Flathead Flute Choir.

“This is our primary concert for the general public,” Niblack said.

If the festive crowd that filled both the lower level as well as the balcony of the church wasn’t enough of an indication as to how big this performance was, the time that went into preparing for it was.

Over the course of nearly two months, the chorus members each put in over 1,000 hours of practice getting ready for the big day.

“It takes a lot of work and dedication on people’s behalf,” Niblack said.

It isn’t the only concert put on by the MVCS, however. Throughout the year, the group puts on several smaller recitals, bouncing around from location to location.

In the past couple of weeks alone, they have visited St. Joseph’s Assisted Living, the Church of Latter-Day Saints and Page by Page Books

“We take the concert to them,” Niblack said.

On Sunday, however, the public flocked to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to listen to some great singing and revel in Christmas spirit. The holiday is right around the corner, but for some, it wouldn’t quite be a complete Christmas season until the MVCS choir rang it in properly.