By Carson Lambert

clambert@civitasmedia.com

The cast of Newberry Community Choir’s 2014 Christmas cantata.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_2014-cantata.jpgThe cast of Newberry Community Choir’s 2014 Christmas cantata. Courtesy photo

NEWBERRY — The sights and sounds of Christmas will fill the Newberry Elementary School auditorium Dec. 4 through Dec. 6 when the Newberry Community Choir presents its 24th annual cantata.

This year’s program is titled “The Heart of Christmas” and will feature the roughly 55 person ensemble performing such numbers as “We Need a Little Christmas,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Joy to the World.”

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is free as always, however, donations will be accepted. Director Mary Ann Hayes said a large portion of the total donations will go toward purchasing a “smart sign” for Newberry Elementary School.

The choir is also teaming up with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Department to collect toys for children in the community. Unwrapped gifts can be placed beside the Christmas tree located at the entrance to the auditorium.

Hayes said that although the members have enjoyed presenting their Christmas and Easter programs for nearly a quarter of a century, next year will most likely be their last.

“It’s a gift to the community and we’ve loved doing it,” Hayes said.

The intensive rehearsal commitments and setup requirements, said Hayes, have become increasingly difficult for the aging members of the choir.

Rehearsals for the Christmas program begin in August and preparations for Easter commence directly after New Year’s, accounting for roughly nine months of the calendar.

Hayes urges all who have participated in past performances to return for the final year.

However, Hayes said, they do plan on continuing in some capacity.

“Something about God and country, specifically around Memorial Day, Flag Day or Independence Day,” Hayes said.

This year’s program will feature an opening portion of secular Christmas songs transitioning into what Hayes describes as, “the true meaning of the season.”

Long time member Tom Perry, whose battle with cancer has rendered him unable to sing, will join his daughter in a dance number called “The Christmas Waltz.” Perry’s daughter, Meghan, also serves as the program’s choreographer.

Closing the night will be a rendition of “What We Believe,” a favorite of the choir’s.

A press release describing the event reads, “In an age where it is difficult to find a stronghold, God was and is that for every generation. The choir expresses that in the powerful words ‘Though all heaven and earth should pass away, it will never change what we believe.’”

Reach Carson Lambert at 803-276-0625, ext. 1868, or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.