TELLURIDE CHORAL SOCIETY’S 19TH ANNUAL WINTER SING

02 Dec TELLURIDE CHORAL SOCIETY’S 19TH ANNUAL WINTER SING

Telluride Choral Society performing at Christ Church

“Joy to the World.”

Or not.

It’s tinsel time all over the globe, including here in Toy Town, the time of year some shiver in anticipation; others just quake from the cold.

The secular holiday features all the usual suspects: Chipmunks and Charlie Brown, Grinches and Scrooges. It is Rudolph and giant conifers, baked ham and chestnuts roasting on an open fire – and one too many tipples of eggnog at the office party.

The holiday season is classic movies such as “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”

But most of all, Christmas is music.

Which means while everyone else on the planet will soon be listening to the conventional soundtrack of the holiday season – are you heading for the hills as I spell out the words “W-H-I-T-E  C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S?” – but in Telluride?

Locally, Christmas music means the Telluride Choral Society‘s WinterSing, one of the premiere opening events of the holiday season, now in its 19th year. And these days, the Choral Society rhymes with the name of Rhonda Muckerman, the nonprofit’s fearless leader.

And (thankfully) Muckerman is always full of surprises.

Move over Irving.

Make room for – Enya?

In its 19th consecutive year, Rhonda and the Choral Society, including 60 locals ages 7 – 70, present “A Celtic Winter’s Night,” featuring traditional and contemporary Celtic music of the season.

Traditional songs include “I Saw Three Ships,” the “Wexford Carol,” “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.” The contemporary music includes arrangements by Anuna, Celtic Woman, Bluegrass Festival favorite Glen Hansard (“The Swell Season”), Mumford & Sons – and Enya.

The event features Susan Ensor on piano, Mary Beth Tukman on violin, and Greg Hanshaw on bagpipes.

WinterSing concerts take place Friday, December 7, 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 9, 3 p.m., at Christ Church.

(Preview the show when the Choral Society sings around town on Noel Night, Wednesday, December 5.)

Tickets are $15/adults; $8/children and students.

To learn more, click the “play” button and listen to my interview with Rhonda.