Community Chorus braves storm
By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
After practicing for months the winter storm that hit the Houlton area last Friday wreaked havoc on Houlton’s Community Concert date at the high school auditorium. Although the day began with school cancellations and a wintry mix, by evening the rain had stopped and the streets were clear, a perfect night to get out.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photograph/Karen Donato
‘TIS THE SEASON — Dressed in holiday colors these concert participants added not only their voices, but holiday sparkle to the show. In front, Joyce Fitzpatrick. Second row, from left Karen Mead, Rueline Geishecker. Back row, Barbara Swallow, Renee Grant and Debbie Clark.
The Holiday Celebration was planned to include the Houlton High School Singers, 96 in all, with a special group, the Chamber Choir. Plans also included a high school flute ensemble. However, because of the school policy of no school, then no extra curricular events, none of the students were there to perform.
A small crowd enjoyed the concert and had their choice of seats. It was an upbeat concert and the participants were very festive in their holiday finery. They each had decorated the coverings on their music, complete with sparkly ribbons and tinsel.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photograph/Karen Donato
SONGS OF THE SEASON — Members of the greater Houlton community put the concert crowd in the spirit of the holiday with many lively Christmas selections. In front from left, Arlene Bean and Erlene Russell. Second row, Fred Grant, Matt Reed, Louise London, and Mary Lowery. Third row, Gary Johnson, Doug Dieckmann(hidden), Astrid Smith and Nancy Johnson. Back row, Rev. Marc Fuller, Fred Griffith and Karen Klahr.
Sharyn Walker did a wonderful job providing a variety of holiday songs and brought the best out in her talented participants.
Selections enjoyed were: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Velvet Shoes,” “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy,” “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place,” and “Masters in the Hall.”
Rebecca DeWan conducted the last selection before intermission, “Go Tell it on the Mountain” featuring this year’s director, Sharyn Walker as soloist.
During intermission, Border Harmony performed. This group includes Harry Roper, Doug Dieckmann, Frank Thompson, Sharon Lowery, Karen Klahr, and Norma Hill.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photograph/Karen Donato
TALENTED DIRECTOR — Sharyn Walker, this year’s Community Concert director demonstrated her vocal talent with a solo, “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” accompanied on the piano by her husband Scott.
The concert concluded with “Happy Holiday/White Christmas,” “Candelight Carol,” “Ding Dong!” “Merrily on High!” “In December,” featuring soloists, Fred and Renee Grant and the final selection, “Various Themes on ‘Fa-La-La’.”
The group did a tremendous job bringing the holiday spirit to the audience, and Walker and her husband Scott added the professional polish to a small town community.
‘IN DECEMBER’ — Renee Grant, above teamed up with her husband Fred for a heartwarming rendition of ‘December’, written by Jay Althouse.
Thank you for going on with the show, and we will look forward to the next community concert, another of Houlton’s Christmas traditions.
