The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents an afternoon of Holiday Music and Song featuring the Enosburg Town Band and the Community Chorus on Sunday. This annual family event celebrates traditional music in Franklin County's historic (and heated) theater. The program is part of the Community Treasures Series. The concert will include traditional and contemporary seasonal music. HOLIDAY MUSIC 2002
"We're doing a bunch of shorter numbers this year," said Community Chorus director Jay Sheperd. "One that's really beautiful but not very well known is the Crown of Roses by Tchaikovsky." The concert will also include Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach, the carol Still Still Still from Austria, and a number of more modern works from Shepherd's Farewell by Berlioz and the Fanfare for Christmas Day by Martin Shaw to the spiritual Behold that Star.
Unlike traditional carols with repeating choruses, the Austrian carol builds from stillness to sleep to dreams. It was sung not only at Christmas but also as a lullaby. The author is unknown.
"We've got about 50 people singing this year, up by 10 from last year," Mr. Sheperd said. "Whole families are singing, husbands wives cousins and nephews." The chorus includes a group from Franklin and from MVU.
The 35-piece Town Band will play Christmas medleys, traditional music including Sleigh Ride by LeRoy Anderson and, on the lighter side, a Christmas Rock. "We will do 'Igor's Holiday' featuring the trumpet section," said director Alisa Martin, "and feature the brass in Westminster Carol." They will perform a Suite from the Messiah which ends with the Hallelujah Chorus.
With 35 members, the Town Band is "pretty well balanced," said director Alisa Martin. "It's nice for this concert because we have two new members in the trombone section and two new clarinet members as well." Three of the four new members are area high school students
This Town Band is the oldest in Vermont. The volunteer musicians range in age from 11 to over 70. They have never missed a season. Director Alisa Martin is a music teacher in Enosburg schools.
Both the Town Band and the Community Chorus recruit new members any time. "People are always welcome to join," Mrs. Martin said.
The Friends of the Opera House will host a post-concert reception to thank all Opera House friends and volunteers for their 2002 support. A community "thank you" is also due the volunteer efforts of the approximately 85 musicians and leaders in this concert.
Admission is free but donations are gladly, indeed gleefully accepted. The Holiday Concert will begin at the Opera House on Sunday at 2 p.m.
123 Depot Street
Post Office Box 1250
Enosburg Falls, Vermont 05450
802.933.6171
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