IT'S MORE THAN MUSIC FOR THIS SINGING GROUP

Singing together isn't just about making music for the women's ensemble Voce Festive.

It's also a time to make friends, share stories and laughs. All seven women who make up the group are professional music teachers, musicians or vocalists.

"It's very therapeutic," said Mary Mims. She and Christy Shinn, another group member, talked about school concerts and musical selections for classes before a recent practice.

Voce Festive members are Mims and Shinn, Stephanie Fridley, Lori Shafer, Leslie Jones, Chaddie Fruehwald and Marsha Caughlan.

The group will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, ELCA. Selections include well-known Christmas carols and songs from "A Ceremony of Carols" written by Benjamin Britten.

The newly-formed group first performed in public at the community Thanksgiving service Nov. 23.

Listening to a tape of that performance was a treat for the members. "We sound like such a large group," said Mary Mims, who sings soprano.

With just a few voices, the group is still trying to find how it blends sounds. "We want more voices per part," Mims said. However, there aren't any definite plans for expansion right now.

The idea for forming a women's vocal group had been tossed around for several years. Since everyone could not make commitments, the plans were put on hold for about four years or so, Mims said.

The group began meeting this spring for practices. "We just knew everybody was out there and started getting together for rehearsals," Mims said.