The Mission Valley Choral Society sang out at St. Ignatius Mission and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in a time-honored tradition during their annual Christmas concerts on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7.  

This year’s holiday performances were titled “Lo, How a Rose …”, featuring classics and Christmas anthems, and were accompanied by a pianist and an occasional cello, flute or drums.  

Cathy Gillhouse directed the lifting harmonies from the soprano, alto, tenor and bass singers, and Bob Mazurek directed the rhythmic chimes of the Copeland Memorial Bell Ringers. The choral society is a non-profit choir group that has existed in Lake County since the 1960s and does annual Christmas and spring concerts.  

Gillhouse was the Ronan School District choir teacher for 36 years, and this is her third year directing the choir. The society practices once a week leading up to the concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Polson. They take a break after Christmas and then gather again in January to prepare for the April concert.  

Gillhouse oversees choosing the music and explained it is her hardest job. She often picks music from Polson and Ronan High School libraries to save money.  

Gillhouse said vocalists love to perform at the St. Ignatius Mission – a beautiful historic cathedral with a vaulted ceiling. According to Gillhouse, this marked one of the best years of attendance she has witnessed at both venues.  

This is the second year the Copeland Memorial Bell Ringers have accompanied the choir. The ringers are from the First Presbyterian Church of Polson and play about once a month at the church according to Mazurek.  

The ringers played several timeless Christmas melodies such as “We Wish you a Merry Christmas,” It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”  

   Jamison Starbuck plays the deepest ringing bells during the Mission Valley Choral Society concert. Starbuck is a part of the Copeland Memorial Bell Ringers. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Cello player Susan Raub accompanies the Mission Valley Choral Society during “There is No Rose of Such Virtue. (Emily Messer/Leader)