Valley Voices sings for 25th anniversary Christmas concert
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 7 hours, 19 minutes AGO
Allyson Kuechmann has been directing the Valley Voices Community Choir for 25 years. And this year, she expects the anniversary Christmas concert to be bigger and better than ever.
“We call it Silver Bells,” she says, “In honor of our silver anniversary. And it’s the biggest group of singers we’ve ever had.”
The choir counts 94 singers on its roster this year.
“That’s considerable growth from our original group of about twenty,” she adds. “It will provide a striking debut for our new risers, which we acquired for the safety of larger steps and railings on the back and sides.”
The choir has new risers as a result of a recent fundraising campaign headed up by choir member Lois (Lolo) Lindquist. She raised $20,000 from local individuals and businesses and almost half came from one anonymous generous donor.
David Vale, longtime singer and board member, frequently ends up in the back row of the choir.
“It’s really comforting to know there’s now a railing that has my back, so to speak," he said.
The program will provide a full two hours of entertainment featuring the full choir, two special vocal groups, and the talents of world-famous violinist Wai Mizutani.
Local radio personality John Hendricks will emcee the concert. Familiar songs on the program include "Silver Bells," "What Child is This," and Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus." Less familiar pieces include songs like Mozart’s "Fa La La," "O Nata Lux," and "Somebody Build a Manger."
“Yes, don’t forget the cookies,” Keuchmann adds. “Many of our singers are also talented bakers. And they are baking literally hundreds of cookies to share with the audience at intermission.”
Perhaps not the best part of the event, but at least worthy of note, is that both admission and cookies are free. A free-will offering will be taken, but contributing is at everyone’s individual discretion.
The concert will be presented Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. Both performances will be in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 127 Spokane Avenue.