The Redmond Community Choir will kick off the holiday season with a message of hope, peace, and Christmas cheer.

From the opening song to the closing number, this year’s concert resounds with uplifting encouragement. The music and lyrics are a testament to the power of music to transport us above our circumstances — and to how our community of family and friends can remind us of what’s important in life.

Mark your calendarThe upcoming “Sounds of the Season” concert is open to the public. Admission is free. It will be held on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Redmond High School auditorium. The program will include traditional choral music that has been chosen with the Christmas season in mind, as well as a selection of holiday favorites.

Choir director Ken Piarulli said that “for two hours on Mondays, we gather at rehearsal for one common purpose: to sing as one and make beautiful music together.”

Those rehearsals culminate in the spring and Christmas concerts that the choir performs for the public.

The road aheadAs with most performing arts organizations, the Redmond Community Choir was shelved for more than two years due to the pandemic. Since its return concert last year, interest in the choir has been steadily increasing. After last spring’s “Salute to Broadway” concert, the choir grew significantly for the fall term.

Piarulli said he is optimistic about the future of the choir.

“I’ve heard a noticeable maturity in the choir’s sound, evident from the first rehearsal in September,” he said. “And I’m already seeing additional interest from the community about joining for the spring term.”

Although the choir is a non-auditioned ensemble, the program is not watered down. As the group matures, its director strives to introduce more challenging music.

“I like to find a balance with music that won’t overwhelm or intimidate the less experienced singers yet won’t bore our more seasoned musicians,” said Piarulli. “I believe that if I choose the right arrangements and provide learning tools for people to use at home, I can find that balance.”

15-person choir performs Dec. 2The upcoming concert will include soloists and will feature an expanded cast of instrumental accompanists.

Piarullo said the music he chose “was written with string and wind parts available, so I figured ‘Why not?’ For the first time we will feature a violinist, cellist, and flutist in addition to our rhythm section.”

Also, for the first time, piano accompaniment duties will be shared by three members of the choir.

As the choir has become better known, Piarulli has received requests to perform in the community. While this is logistically difficult for the full, 60-member group, he recently formed 15-person group to meet this need.

The 15-person choir will perform Saturday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. for Hospice Festival of Trees at the Fairgrounds, and at 1 p.m. for a Deschutes Public Library “Know Gathering” performance at the High Desert Music Hall.

The Redmond Community Choir is a highlighted program of Central Oregon Community College’s Community Education Department. To learn more visit www.redmondcommunitychoir.org.