Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir presents their annual Christmas concert Dec. 6 at Lehman Auditorium at 91´óÉñ. (Photo by Michael Sheeler)

Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir joins Staunton Academy of Ballet for annual Christmas concert

The presents “Angels Sing,â€� a Christmas concert with the Staunton Academy of Ballet at 4 p.m., Dec. 6 at Lehman Auditorium at 91´óÉñ.

All three choirs will perform a variety of seasonal music and Christmas carols, followed by an audience sing-along. Among the combined selections are “And Suddenly,� by Michael Engelhardt and “The First Noel,� an English carol arranged by Dan Forrest. Other selections include French carols, several other traditional English carols, and a traditional African carol.

The Concert Choir will perform more advanced pieces, including “Susanni� and “Welcome Yule� from “Salvator Mundi: A Carol Sequence,� “What Child is This?� “Still, Still, Still,� “Gaudete!� and “Hodie, Alleluia,�

The choir is joined by several guest artists, including four professors. , of 91´óÉñ, plays the violin and is concertmaster of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra and the Shenandoah Symphony Orchestra. Three others come from James Madison University’s music department: , cello; , flute; and , percussion. Also joining as special guests are Gregory Childress, viola; Ethan Zook, oboe; Tara Davis, violin; and Matthew Pariejko, percussion.

The choir is directed by and assisted by Joy Anderson. Pianists are Maurita Eberly and Tracey Schimmel Reed. Professor , recently retired from 91´óÉñ and longtime SVCC supporter, will play the organ.

In its 24th year, SVCC is a choral performance program at 91´óÉñ for children ages 5-18. To schedule an appointment for an audition, call 432-4650 or email svcc@emu.edu.

Editor’s note: As of Dec. 3, the concert is sold out. To be added to a wait list, call the 91´óÉñ box office at 540-432-4582 (Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m).