All Invited to Sing Along At Cheery Event Tonight

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Category: News

Created on Wednesday, 18 December 2024 13:46

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By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Sitka Music Festival will give a boost to holiday cheer tonight with a  half-hour community singalong at the Miner Music Center in Stevenson Hall on the SJ campus.
    Andrew Hames, director of the Sitka High music program and a local performer, will conduct, and Debby Shabo Wade will play piano to accompany the caroling. Hames will provide some songbooks.

Christian Fabian, on bass, and Matt Perri, on piano, perform Sunday at the Miner Music Center in Stevenson Hall. The venue will be used 6 p.m. tonight for a free Christmas singalong. (Sentinel Photo)

    The event starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 6:30. Music Festival executive director Alex Serio said amateurs and music students alike are invited to join in singing classic Christmas carols and “holiday hits.” The idea for the music festival’s first time caroling event came after former board member Mary Hames spent three days decorating the performance area on the first floor of Stevenson.
    “It looked so beautiful and I thought we should share the space with the community and create some holiday cheer,” said Serio, who moved here from Philadelphia, and enjoyed the breadth of Sitka holiday offerings including carol singers and a multitude of choir concerts.
    The event this year is small but he said he’s hoping it might be introducing a new tradition in Sitka, with the help of the Sitka Music Festival. Those attending are invited to wear their favorite holiday hats, scarves and sweaters and other adornments.
    Afterward there will be hot cocoa and coffee donated by Hames Corporation and cookies baked by longtime festival supporter Connie LaPerriere. The singalong will be followed by the Sitka Music Festival’s annual meeting, which all are welcome to attend, Serio said.