WILLMAR -- The West Central Connection Chorus' annual holiday concert for charity is set for 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Evangelical Free Church in Willmar.
"Harmonizing for the Holidays" will feature six local vocal groups in a concert to raise money for the Willmar Community Senior Network. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
John Dean will be the master of ceremonies and the concert will conclude with "Silent Night" by all the groups and the audience. The groups performing are:
Reformed church choirs
The First Reformed Church and Christian Reformed Church choirs started a tradition three years ago by presenting a Christmas and Easter cantata. The choir is under the direction of Becky Lippert. They will perform seven songs including "Emmanuel with Glory Medley," "A Thousand Joys" and "Jesus, What a Wonderful Child with Emmanuel."
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Special Delivery
This female quartet made its debut nine years ago delivering singing Valentine greetings to unsuspecting men across Kandiyohi County. Three of the four original singers continue to sing in the quartet, including Amy Malam (bass), Cheryl Johnson (tenor) and Deb Van Buren (baritone). Karen Lindquist, the newest member, sings lead. The quartet performs barbershop, or Sweet Adeline music, which offers tight harmonies without the accompaniment of a piano or musical instrument. They will perform "Carol of Bell," "Caroling, Caroling" and "Jingle Bell Rock."
April Damhof
Damhof has enjoyed singing for people from an early age, beginning with special music at church and in the local nursing homes. Today she does musical programs and concerts for various churches, special events and community functions, solos for weddings and funerals, and has performed at the county fair. She also sings in the church adult choir and is the director for the church children's choir. She will perform "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "The First Noel" and "What Child Is This?"
Custom Made
Steve and Kris are Custom Made, customizing their music to fit every mood, or every event. As a band, they have opened for several performers including Ronnie Milsap, Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, Mel Tillis, Sawyer Brown and many others. As a duo, Jimmy Fortune from the Statler Brothers asked them to provide vocal harmonies and instruments for his Chippewa County Grandstand performance. They will perform "The Angels Cried," "No Room" and "White Christmas."
Kingery family
Mike and Chris Kingery and their family from Grove City perform bluegrass gospel music. The Kingerys have eight children and a new son-in-law. While picking and fiddling they will share their love of music through gospel, patriotic and instrumental music. They will perform "Let Me Tell You about Jesus," "Away in a Manger" and "Just an Ordinary Carpenter."
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On Call
On Call is a group of 30 to 40 high school students chosen through auditions each spring. They rehearse weekly in Willmar to prepare music, skits, dramas and testimonies for their school-year concerts. They also have the opportunity to serve in an overseas ministry in the summer. They will perform "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and "O Holy Night."
West Central Connection Chorus
The West Central Connection Chorus was formed in 1993 by a merger of the Montevideo Fiesta City Chorus and the Kandi-O-Hi-Lo Barbershop Chorus of Willmar. The membership comes from many communities; they rehearse Mondays at the Willmar Community Center and organize this concert. The chorus will perform "Angels We Have Heard," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Lo, How a Rose e-er Blooming" and "Joy to the World."
