Almost 100 singers in the Community Chorus have been rehearsing since early October in preparation for a memorable Christmas Concert to be held Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. The program is a combination of voices and instruments, of familiar songs and some new numbers.

Aware of the hard work and with his own preparations underway, Santa Claus has made some secret inquiries as he makes his list and checks it twice. He has made some interesting discoveries behind the scenes.

For example, the talented and accomplished Pam McNeil, who has accompanied the Community Chorus for many seasons, has asked Santa for some music with fewer notes. However, Santa laughed his “ho, ho, ho” and shook his head. He knows that Pam can play whatever music comes her way, so he added warm mittens to his list for her so her hands can stay warm while she walks the track at Harmon Field.

The imaginative and creative Candy Wilson, in her second season as choral director, asked Santa for singers who could count and would cut off when she bounces her hand. She also suggested to Santa that he hold his list up so that he can watch her. Santa was heard to mutter, “Good luck, Candy.” But he did make a note to add some new music to her stocking.

When Santa heard that Linda Lee Reynolds, president of the chorus board, wanted world peace, he shook his head, thinking that she had confused the Christmas Concert with a beauty pageant. Then he noticed on the music list that one of the new pieces the chorus is rehearsing is called “Be a Gift to a World in Need,” so instead of world peace, Santa added “diamond tiara” to Linda Lee’s list.

Santa also listened in on a meeting of the Rotary Club of Tryon, and he nodded his approval as he heard their wish to sell lots of tickets because proceeds from the concert benefit their scholarship fund. Rotary scholarships have enabled hundreds of worthy students in our area to advance their education. While he was pleased at this noble cause, Santa knows that only the Polk County community and the surrounding area can make that wish come true.

If you are reading this, you can be part of that effort. Put Dec. 14 on your calendar and plan to go to Polk County High School auditorium for the 3 p.m. concert to support the Community Chorus, a 501(c) 3 organization. Tickets will be available at the door, or you can purchase them from a member of the chorus or a member of the Rotary Club of Tryon.

 

– Article submitted 

by Gloria Underwood