Big Christmas sounds from Rosebud

Times Contributor  

 

Shows at Rosebud never disappoint. The community held their annual Christmas Concert evening on Sunday, Dec. 8 with four of their community choral groups participating.

An International Christmas Concert was the theme of the production this year. Held at Rosebud’s Covenant Church, the audience was packed out for the performance. The Rosebud Chorale, consisting of this year’s student body, sang Gaudete (arr. Stephan Hatfield), African Celebration (arr. Sally Albrecht – Africa), De Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy (arr. Malcolm Sargent – Trinidad) and the Jingle Bells Travelogue by Livingston Gearhart.

The Rosebud Younger Company performed their musical celebration with Christmas Around the World, which was written by Anita Winters with song selections from John Purifoy’s musical. Some amazing talent was shown by these young artists in their solos and the choreography that they learned from choreographer Deanne Bertsch.

The Masterworks Choir, consisting of around 40 members under the direction of Bill Hamm, travelled around the globe with such pieces as Gloria (by F.J. Hayden in Austria), African Noel (arr. Andre Thomas – Africa), Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant (arr. Rutter – traditional French) and the Latvian Carols by Andrejs Jansons from Latvia.

Rosa Cantorum, an extension of the Masterworks Choir, performed last on the list followed by all the joint choirs singing various renditions of Silent Night in many different languages.

Director Bill Hamm honored long time Rosebud visionary LaVerne Erikson with a birthday tribute for his 70 birthday celebrated that day.

Bertsch concluded the evening with a tribute of thanks to Bill Hamm for all the hard work and dedication that he puts into the choirs and casts over the years. Bertsch, who has been singing for Hamm for the last 20 years, was pleased to help present a gift of thanks from all those involved to Hamm in the form of a new golden retriever puppy, which left Hamm speechless.

Rosebud knows how to create the community feel and shared that so well with their entire Christmas performance.