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Trinity United Methodist Candlelight Concerts

is proud to present:

Wild Rose Chorale with a holiday a capella program

The Wild Rose Chorale has been entertaining audiences in Port Townsend, Jefferson County, and beyond since 1992. The group sings pop, jazz, folk, show tunes, classical, and all genres of music in between. “We have lots of upbeat music on this program,” said bass Doug Rodgers. Pieces include both sacred and secular songs. Some are familiar, such as, “Deck the Halls,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” the perennial favorite, “Jingle Bells,” and the jaunty, “I Saw Three Ships” on which the singers will be joined by Dana Africa, flute.

But audiences can expect the unexpected, because even the arrangements of familiar tunes can be surprising, including a Pentatonix arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” Alto JES Schumacher explained that after a traditional start, the song quickly veers off into “rambunctious” parts and vocal percussion. “I love the variety of sacred and secular, up-tempo and lush ballads,” said director Leslie Lewis. “We even have a beautiful rendition of the 15th century text, ‘Come Down O Love Divine,’ composed and arranged by our very own Rolf Vegdahl.”

Rodgers said he enjoys singing at Trinity. “It’s a wonderful place to sing. It’s just the right size and shape for a group like ours to be heard and to hear ourselves as we sing. I also really like that our concert is livestreamed, recorded and available on the church website for our friends who are not able to come in person.”

“We always enjoy collaborating with others in the community who want to promote good music,” added director and soprano Leslie Lewis. “We are excited to return to Trinity United Methodist again as part of their Candlelight Concert series. The acoustics are wonderful and the staff and volunteers at the church are very accommodating. It’s nothing but positive.”

“Leslie brings out the best musicianship in us. It’s a joy to sing with skilled singers and there are exciting ‘goosebump’ moments when chords, dynamics, and tone all come together beautifully,” said Schumacher.

Thompson said another reward of participating in the group has been working with talented young people through the years. Although no student interns join the group this season, Wild Rose Chorale offers an annual scholarship to promising music students who want to further their music education at the college and university level. The group awarded two scholarships in June of this year.

Wild Rose currently numbers eleven singers, including some new faces. “It’s been fun working with new members this fall,” Lewis said. “They have given us an injection of new energy! Each person brings their own personality and strengths. Audiences will meet new singers Mark Schecter, bass; Pat Nerison, alto; Cherry Chenruk-Geelan, soprano; and the tenor who joined us last spring, Rolf Vegdahl.”
Rounding out the roster are sopranos Lewis and Sarah Gustner-Hewitt, altos Schumacher and Lynn Nowak, tenor Chuck Helman, and basses Thompson and Rodgers.

Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 609 Taylor Street, across from the Community Center, in Uptown. Attendees should plan on arriving early – doors will open at 6:30. Masks will be required for in-person attendees.

Following on the coattails of the Candlelight Concert, the singers perform again at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 18, also at Trinity. In keeping with Covid protocols, audiences will be required to mask and show proof of vaccination at the Sunday concert. Admission is by donation at the door.

For information, call 360-643-3345, email wildrosechorale@gmail.com, or visit https://www.wildrosechorale.org/.