Trinity United Methodist’s Candlelight Concerts are delighted to host the Wild Rose Chorale, a Port Townsend a cappella group, who will be performing at Trinity United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 16th at 7:00 PM pacific Time for one set with no intermission. Not only is this a happy reunion for the choral ensemble, but the event also (hopefully) marks the return of live Candlelight Concerts at the church – the first in 20 months.

Attendees should plan on arriving early – doors will open at 6:30 and admittance is limited to 50 people. COVID-safe protocols will be followed at the church: Personal ID and proof of vaccination will be required for entry and masks will be mandatory for all attendees at all times.

Please Note: If covid infection levels dictate, this concert may be changed to online attendance only (live streaming and listening via KPTZ), which means no in-person attendance allowed. Final determination on in-person attendance will be made closer to the concert date. We apologize in advance for any confusion or inconvenience–but safety is always out highest priority.

The performance will also be live streamed at https://trinityumcpt.org/concerts where you will find a link for the Candlelight Concert Online and ways to donate. The concert will also be simulcast on KPTZ FM 91.9, Radio Port Townsend.

“We’re happily singing together again, masked and vaccinated, and hoping to bring a little Christmas cheer to our community,” said Wild Rose director Leslie Lewis.

Although the covid pandemic has greatly limited the ability of the group to practice and perform together for more than a year, they have managed to practice and perform outdoors, and via online means such as zoom. “But we have dearly missed the kind of music that we love, in which we join together in person to create tight harmonies without the aid of instruments,” said longtime Wild Rose member Lynn Nowak.

Now, as more activities are starting up again, the singers have returned to their regular rehearsal schedule and have invited two high school interns to join them for the season. Wild Rose fans will remember Eugenia and Viola Frank who sang with the group two winters ago and are now in their senior year at Pi in Chimacum. Lewis remarked on the many contributions made by these astute young musicians: “They add such a youthful zest to our group and have filled out our sound nicely.”

As well as enjoying family gatherings and traditions during this special time of year, “For singers, nostalgia during the holiday season also means singing the music we love.”

Some of the pieces selected for this holiday season are favorites from past years. Titles include arrangements of traditional songs such as “Away in a Manger,” “Joy to the World” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).” Lesser known but equally beautiful melodies such as “Welsh Lullaby” and “Gaudete” fill out the program.

“Wild Rose likes to spice things up, so we are including the favorite ‘White Winter Hymnal,’ complete with body percussion, and ‘Hanukkah Scherzo’ that rips along at a lively clip,” Lewis elaborated. These a cappella singers admire the renowned a cappella group Pentatonix, so are also pleased to present the haunting Pentatonix arrangements of “Light in the Hallway” and “Mary, Did You Know?”

Doors open at 6:30 PM, Trinity United Methodist Church, 609 Taylor Street, across from the Community Center, Uptown. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per person. Half of the proceeds from this concert go toward the Wild Rose Chorale’s scholarship fund, which makes awards to promising high school and college students who pursue choral music in their post-secondary education.