Chorale to sing carols, more in two concerts

Stars will be out and songs will be sung at the Cambria Chorale’s annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 6 and 20 at Cambria Presbyterian Church.

This year’s theme: “It Was a Starry Night.”

The program, under the direction of Barbara Weber, marks the 25th anniversary for the chorale’s holiday performances. The singers will perform numbers such as “Rejoice, With Exceeding Great Joy,” and will invite the audience to join in on the traditional “Jingle All the Way Medley.”

The chorale will be accompanied by Kate Hepworth and instrumentalists Penny Beavers on harp, Ron Perry on keyboards, Jim Chalifoux on bass and a number of soloists from the group’s ranks.

The Cambria Chorale began when Richard and Gwen Stokes sponsored a sing-along at the Pewter Plough Playhouse nearly 30 years ago. The group got together on a formal basis in 1990. Four of the chorale’s original members — Ann Glaser, Lyn Baker, Helen Alinder and John Angel — are still performing members.

In all, the chorale has a membership of 50 to 60 singers who rehearse each Tuesday at 9 a.m. In addition to the two performances at the church, the chorale performs at the Joslyn Center on Hospitality Night, Dec. 3, at the Lions Club December Dinner, in Bayside and at the Casa De Flores retirement center in Morro Bay. A spring program is also performed at two concerts in May.

Tickets for the two performances, both scheduled for 2 p.m. at the church, 2250 Yorkshire Drive, are priced at $16 and may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce, Joslyn Center or at the door. Call 927-2304 for more information.

Money raised through ticket sales goes to the Cambria Youth Music Fund, which provides professional music lessons for students who show talent in vocal and instrumental music but who need financial help to continue their training. This year, the chorale is supporting 26 students.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Chorale to sing carols, more in two concerts."