Local Chorale Adds Orchestra to Concert

The Perry County Lutheran Chorale at Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown during the Christmas Country Church Tour on December 17.

Two years ago, the Perry County Lutheran Chorale made a decision. "Since everyone is so busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we thought we would try having our Christmas concert after December 25," said Chorale President Danny Kiefer of Perryville. The January 2009 concert was a success, so the group repeated the performance last January and is currently planning their third After-Christmas Christmas Concert. This year, however, the concert will include more than singing.

"The Chorale is stepping up to the next level," according to director Tyson Wunderlich. "Beautiful Christmas carols will again fill the sanctuary, but this time to the accompaniment of an orchestra. This will bring a whole new assortment of timbres to the performance, giving the music much more color in its aesthetic impact on the audience." Wunderlich has put together a chamber orchestra that includes both local musicians and students from Southeast Missouri State University. "There are many talented musicians in this area, and I am excited about working with some of them on this concert."

The concert will be held on Sunday, January 2 at 4 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. Immanuel can be found by taking Highway C from Fruitland to New Wells.

The Chorale has had a busy fall. They provided entertainment for the banquet of the International Immigration Conference in Altenburg, performed a Reformation Concert in Cape Girardeau, participated in the annual Ecumenical Concert at St. Mary of the Barrens in Perryville, and most recently provided music at Grace Lutheran in Uniontown as part of the Christmas Country Church Tour. Upcoming events include recording for their second CD, a spring concert, and a third summer tour.

For more information about the Chorale or its appearances, you can contact pclutheranchorale@gmail.com .