BFUHS Music Department presents annual Winter Concert
WESTMINSTER - Enjoy the sounds of the season when the Bellows Falls Union High School Music Department presents its annual Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., in the BFUHS Auditorium.
Singers and instrumentalists have been practicing for weeks for this event, which is free and open to the public.
The BFUHS Concert Band, under the direction of Nick Pelton, will performs both symphonies and marches. Senior Ethan Lauricella performs his featured piece, Dream Song, by Richard L. Saucedo, on the grand piano. The BFUHS Jazz Ensemble will swing on classic arrangements, while the Concert Choir, under the direction of Mary Westbrook, performs a selection of holiday favorites.
A 50-50 raffle will be held to help fund the Music Department's trip to the competitive festival, Music In The Parks, on June 2, 2018.
'Carols at the Red Door' supports Deerfield Valley Rescue
WILMINGTON - St. Mary's in the Mountains, 13 East Main St., presents its second annual Red Door Community Carol Sing on Saturday, Dec. 16, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Come join the entire community to celebrate the season, singing traditional carols and seasonal favorites (some done in less traditional ways), along with musical performances by Deerfield Valley musicians, holiday treats, and some surprises.
Admission is by free will donation, and all proceeds will support Deerfield Valley Rescue, which since 1974 has provided pre-hospital emergency medical care to residents in this area. Its two full-time employees and approximately 25 volunteers staff ambulances 24 hours a day and provide critical, time-sensitive help to friends and neighbors.
The doors will open at 3:15 p.m., with snacks, hot cider, and other treats. Starting at 3:30, guests will be entertained by a wide-range of singers, pianists, and other musicians. Among the performers will be Robin Matathias' flute ensemble, Bob and Flaminia Zeman, the St. Mary's Chime Choir, and a women's chorus offering French carols.
Beginning at 4 p.m., the audience will be invited to join in, sharing tunes that have been part of the season for as long as anyone remembers - and a few new ones. They will be accompanied by area musicians such as Ned Wilson, Sue Maddern and Deb Canedy, and lyric books will help everyone participate.
For more information, visit the St. Mary's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StMarysVT.
New England Ringers come to Newfane
NEWFANE - On Saturday, Dec. 16, at 3:30 p.m., Newfane Congregational Church presents an afternoon of music as the New England Ringers perform “Christmas with all the Bells and Whistles,” a joint program with organist Richard Bunbury.
For the first time ever, New England Ringers will be performing several pieces for handbells and organ - which is, after all, a big whistle. This is a unique opportunity to hear the sounds of the season rung on handbells in combination with the rich tones of the pipe organ. The suggested donation is $10 per person.
Legion Band offers holiday concert
BRATTLEBORO - The 27th annual Brattleboro American Legion Band Holiday Concert, directed by Sue Lemei, will be on Wednesday, Dec. 20, starting at 7:30 p.m., at the Legion Home on Linden Street.
The band will play some traditional old favorites, but some new surprises will be on the program. There is no admission charge.
Advent, Christmas services in West West
WESTMINSTER WEST - The Congregational Church of Westminster West offers a number of different ways to celebrate and honor the Advent and Christmas season.
The church's traditional Community Candlelight and Carols service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. This all-ages service, which lasts about an hour, tells the story of the lead-up to the birth of Jesus through scripture readings, congregational hymns, and choir anthems, ending with “Silent Night” by candlelight.
With singing accompanied by Fred Gray on guitar and organ, a brief meditation provided by Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno, and a post-worship cocoa and cookies gathering, the evening service is a festive way to remember the deeper meanings of the season.
The free-will offering collected during the service will support the work of the church in helping to provide assistance to neighbors who live in scarcity. The hardiest among the worshipers will also enjoy singing Christmas carols to our neighbors throughout the village once the service is over. (Note that there will be no 10 a.m. service on the 17th.)
On Christmas Eve, the regular 10 a.m. service will focus on the Fourth Sunday of Advent readings and hymns. The congregation will gather again at 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve for a meditative service of lessons and carols led by Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno and pianist Malcolm Toleno. Worshipers will sing familiar carols and will have the opportunity to light candles signifying their hopes and prayers, as well as remembering loved ones who have died.
Finally, on Dec. 31, at 10 a.m., the Christmas season will draw to a close with the annual post-Christmas by-request carol sing, allowing folks to get one last crack at the songs they haven't sung enough to suit them. Malcolm Toleno will accompany the congregation on piano. For more information, visit www.westminsterwest.org or call 802-579-8356.
Live nativity, carol sing at Mountain View SDA Church
VERNON - Mountain View SDA Church, 1002 Fort Bridgman Rd., will hold its first-ever Live Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 5:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend this inspiring reenactment of the Christmas story. The Live Nativity will feature costumed Bible characters, live animals, and narration.
A Christmas carol sing and party immediately follows the Live Nativity. Both events are free and all are welcome. Visit www.mvsdachurch.com for more details.
Christmas carols at West Dummerston Baptist Church
WEST DUMMERSTON - The annual Christmas Carol program will be held on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m., at the West Dummerston Baptist Church on West Street in the village of West Dummerston.
All are welcome, and light refreshments will be served. The church is located approximately 7 miles north of Brattleboro off Route 30. Call 802-874-4543 for further information.
Christmas by candlelight in Chesterfield
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. - On Dec. 24, the public is invited to attend the annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Asbury United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Fifteen minutes prior to the service, attendees will be presented with joyful prelude music and traditional Christmas songs. All attendees will be invited to join in the singing of popular holiday music during this time.
Promptly at 7, Pastor Scott Masters will begin a service that will include the lighting of the Advent candles and Christ candle and will include an inspiring message.
Though not a requirement, attendees are invited to bring gifts of canned soup, pasta, or boxes of cereal for Joan's Food Pantry, a church and community mission which operates from the church's basement on Saturdays year-round.
The pantry is grateful for donations any time of year, but especially during the winter months when need in the community tends to be greater. On average, the pantry serves 100 or more households weekly during the fall and winter. Baskets for collecting the food donations will be placed at the entrances of the church.
For more information, visit www.chesterfieldumc.org, or email [email protected].