Valley Voices Community Choir hosts holiday concerts

The Valley Voices Community Choir will present its Christmas concert, “Love is the Gift of Christmas,” twice this December at the Flathead High School auditorium.

The concerts will encompass a range of classic music, modern music, performances by the full choir, performances by a smaller group called Evensong, and the talents of Jessica Chen on the cello.

The choir, in its first concert since Covid-19, is composed of 75 members — almost back to full-strength. Allyson Kuechmann, who has directed the choir since its inception in 2000, leads the group again.

“It was difficult to shut down the choir for two years,” Kuechmann said, “but this group, including many old members and a good contingent of new ones, sing with energy and enthusiasm. I’m just so thrilled to be leading them again!”

“I’ve been singing with the Valley Voices for over 20 years,” said Rosella Thompson, the president of the choir. “I just hope that the joy I experience singing with this group of musicians will shine out and warm hearts in the audience.”

Among the classics the choir will perform are, “Carol of the Bells” and “Ave Maria.” The program also has more modern favorites including “Mary Did You Know,” “Amid the Cold of Winter” and “Somewhere in My Memory.”

The title of the concert ''comes from the lyrics of a song that Evensong will do,” Kuechmann said. “But the sentiment comes from our hearts and says, in this era of political, environmental, economic, and public health upheaval, it’s a good time to rejoice in the gift of love.”

The concerts will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the auditorium at Flathead High School in Kalispell. Admission is free.