Sing Unto God! Upcoming holiday concerts

After two years of isolation and quiet, the Mat-Su Valley is bursting with music, particularly over the next few weeks. Psalms 98 captures it perfectly: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth…rejoice and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp and the voice of a psalm, with trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord the King.” And that is exactly what is happening.

Coming this Sunday, December 4th, the Mat-Su Messiah will be performing Handel’s masterpiece in two free concerts at the Glenn Massay theater at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. With a choir 160 strong and an orchestra with many of the finest musicians in the valley, this production is sure to be memorable. Soloists are your neighbors, from all across the valley—savor their varied talents. Arrive early for a good seat!

Another fine performing group, in their 20th year, is Cantora Arctica, a local women’s choir. Begun by the legendary late Janet Stotts, and currently directed by the very capable Deborah Cooper, this choir performance is full of harmonic delights and tender moments. Don’t miss it on December 3rd at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer at 7:00 p.m.

The Colony Christmas weekend (December 8th-11th) offers plenty more musical offerings, starting with the Mat-Su Community Chorus concert on December 8th at the Fairview Loop Baptist Church in Wasilla, and again on December 11th at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. Including the brand-new Mat-Su Kid’s chorus, this group of volunteer vocalists are sure to please the ear. For ticket information, go to www.matsucommunitychorus.org. Enjoy!

The Colony Christmas Nativity Display at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Palmer has three full days of musical offerings (Friday December 9th-Sunday December 11th) from Calypso Steel Drums to high school jazz choirs, as well as shorter versions of the Cantora Arctica and Messiah concerts. Kid-friendly, free, and visually stunning, this is the place to fill your musical bucket with sounds of the season. For times, performer lists and other details, go to ccnativity.org.

The following weekend, on December 17th at 6:30, our own Alaska Children’s Choir, directed by Jessie Wetherell, performs their holiday concert at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Palmer. Admission is a free-will offering. There is nothing quite like the sweetness of children’s voices during this season, so take your family and settle in for a treat.

That same weekend, the Mat-Su Concert Band will be filling the Massay with its energetic sounds on Saturday, Dec. 17th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18 at4:00 p.m. Under the baton of the well-known Gleo Huyck, the band includes performers of all ages, and promises to be invigorating, as only a band can be. For ticket information, go to www.matsuconcertband.org/concerts/.

Of course, all the churches across the Valley are full of music and invite you to join in. Be sure to make your worship services an important part of this time of year. Show up. Sing out. Celebrate!

This holiday season, let us treasure the beautiful gifts of music, bounteously given by a loving God to His children. The local groups listed above would love to have your presence at their events, and you may find them an uplifting and inspirational part of what makes this year special. But don’t forget the musical opportunities closer to home: singing around the tree, caroling to the neighbors, or playing seasonal tunes. Get out your uke or recorder or guitar and remember the delight in creating that joyful noise. Belt it out with the children and grandkids. Giggle through your mistakes. Finish with a kiss and a smile.

Happy Holidays!