ELK POINT - After two years of “only singing in our showers," Elk Point Community Choir returned to the Allied Arts stage on Friday, and after struggling to reorganize after the pandemic hiatus, “we’ve regained our status quo,” Don Conrad told the Christmas Concert crowd.
“We’re back!”
And they were, in fine voice, conducted by Udo Mueller and accompanied by Sheila Hatch on piano, with Mueller’s granddaughter Lilly Taylor as her page turner, in ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,’ ‘He is Born, the Divine Christ Child’ and ‘Bring Us Peace’ before their a cappella performances of the ‘Carol of the Bells’ and ‘Goin’ to Bethlehem.’
Following a short break, Mueller and Hatch were joined at the microphone by Beckah Hatch, Solene Beland, Natalle Beland, Kelsey Taylor and Dixie Coleman for two bell-themed carols, ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Christmas Angel,' featuring a solo by Coleman.
Then the entire choir was back, accompanied by Kelsey Taylor and Oriane Beland on flutes in the joyful ‘Christmas in Killarney’ before Taylor took over the piano for ‘By Candle Light,’ followed by an a cappella version of ‘Bright Morning Star’ and ‘African Advent Carol,’ with Coleman and Mueller adding the percussion beat.
In closing, Mueller welcomed the audience “back to the normalcy,” and noted that the choir was preparing to celebrate their 30th anniversary when the pandemic struck. “With a grateful heart, I welcome you all here,” he said, inviting everyone to enjoy the legendary snack buffet provided by the choir, “and stay as long as you like.”
