THE SWEET ADELINES IN CONCERT

"Barbershop, Bells and Brass" will take center stage at Southeast's Rose Theatre Saturday when the Girardot Rose Chorus of Sweet Adelines, International, presents a program of seasonal music.

The group, under the direction of Irene Stevens, will give a matinee performance at 4 p.m. to be repeated at 8 p.m.

In addition to the barbershop arrangements by the chorus, the University Brass Ensemble under the direction of Marc Fulgham will play selected holiday songs.

Also featured as guest performers will be members of the New McKendree Bell Choir of Jackson, directed by Catherine Martin.

Performing "Christmas Chopsticks" will be the Notre Dame Treble Choir with Ellen Seyer directing. The vocal group also will combine with Girardot Rose chorus in special arrangements of "Coventry Carol" and "Harmonize the World."

Opening the pre-Christmas concert, the Girardot Rose Chorus will be accompanied by the Brass Ensemble in a peppy rendition of "Sleigh Ride." Other seasonal favorites from the barbershoppers include "Frosty the Snowman" and "Winter Wonderland."

The Bell Choir's presentations will be "Jingle Bell Rock" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas," followed by the combined bells and voices in "Carol of the Bells.

A special holiday musical treat will be a performance by Off Beat, a barbershop quartet composed of Charlotte Palmer, Jean Hermsdorfer, Jo Anne Wolford and Sharon Schwarz.

A second quartet composed of Kathy Heise, Holly Thomas, Karen McClendon and Irene Stevens also will perform.

After an intermission, the Sweet Adelines will sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and "Mary's Little Boy Child."

Second-half selections include "Let It Snow," "I'll be Home for Christmas," "We Need a Little Christmas" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Tickets are $8 general, $5 for seniors and $5 for children ages 4 through 12.

Sgt. Carl Kinnison of the Cape Girardeau Police Department will be the master of ceremonies.