Sopranos Hollie Swofford and Tena Greene and tenor Richard Kennedy will be featured soloists in the Holiday Players’ upcoming performance, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The performance will be presented at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. on  Saturday, Dec. 17 in the fellowship hall at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon.
Swofford, who will sing a solo in “Oh, Holy Night,” grew up in Lynn, was active in the Polk County High School band and sang in the Community Chorus as a high school student. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music and vocal performance from UNC-Chapel Hill and has performed with theaters in Indianapolis, Ind., Tryon and Flat Rock, N.C., in addition to singing with the Carolina Community Chorus, Holiday Players, and Asheville Symphony Chorus. Before moving back to Polk County last year, she taught and recruited teachers for high-need schools in Los Angeles and Indianapolis.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to sing with this small, but talented, ensemble,” Swofford said. “The music is a great mix of fun Christmas carols and more serious Christmas standards.”
Greene will be the soloist on “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” She received her master’s degree in voice performance from Converse College and teaches voice. Greene lives in Columbus with her husband, Steve Porter, and stepdaughter, Alexis.
Kennedy, who will sing a solo in “Oh, Holy Night,” received his bachelor’s degree in music from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss. And his master’s degree in vocal performance at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He retired in 2007, after 35 years as a college choral director. In addition, he has been music director in numerous churches throughout his career.
The audience will also have a part to play in this event. In addition to a carol sing-along, the audience will help perform “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Refreshments will be served after both performances.
Tickets are available at The Book Shelf in Tryon, the Flower Cottage in Columbus and the Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Landrum.