Winds of the Plains, led by Laurie Collingham, performed “O Come, All Ye Faithful” with lyrics in Apache and “Angels We Have Heard on High” with lyrics in Navajo.
Story and photos by Julie Davis jdavis@cherryroad.com
The 43rd annual Nebraska City Advent Recital took place at St. Mary Catholic Church on Sunday, Dec. 8, beginning at 6 p.m.
Nineteen Christmas songs, many familiar and some newer, were performed by church choirs and community musical groups. Narrator Melissa Turner read appropriate scripture passages telling the Christmas story between songs, and the audience was able to join in for a single verse from each of four carols: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; The First Noel; What Child Is This?; and We Three Kings.
A cookie reception followed in the church basement, and a freewill offering was collected to benefit the Nebraska City Food Pantry.
Winds of the Plains, led by Laurie Collingham, performed “O Come, All Ye Faithful” with lyrics in Apache and “Angels We Have Heard on High” with lyrics in Navajo.All the performers came together for the recital’s final song, “Silent Night.”The Pink Ladies, led by Sarah Roberts and accompanied by Edie Madsen, sang “O Come, All You Unfaithful” and “The Manger.”The First United Methodist Church choir, led by Emily Jones and accompanied by pianist Tammy Partsch, Jayden Bailey on trumpet, saxophonist Ryan Walker, trombonist Stella Young, and tuba player Timmy Stanek, sang “Hush, Little Baby” and “O Come and Sing of Christmas.”The First Lutheran Church Choir, led by Sandra Neubauer and accompanied by Ellen Stokebrand, sang “The Hope of Your Coming” and “Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness.”The Apple Corps Men’s Barbershop Chorus, led by Dr. Dean Thomson, sang “Mary, Did You Know?”The combined St. Mary’s, St. Benedict’s, and St. Joseph’s Children Choir, led by Dan DeFreece and Kate Roberts and accompanied by Angie Madison, sand “See How the Virgin Waits for Him” and “You’ll Come.”The combined St. Mary’s and St. Benedict’s Adult Choir, led by Christy Jefferson, sang “People Look East” and “The Angel Gabriel.”The Calvary Kids Choir, led by Sarah Roberts and accompanied by Edie Madsen, sang “How Many Kings?”The Bethel Church Choir, led by Anthony Priester, sang “Born Tonight in Bethlehem” and “Glory, Glory, Glory.”The Belles-A-Peelin’ Women’s Barbershop Chorus, led by Dr. Dean Thomson, sang “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy.”The Belles-A-Peelin’ and the Apple Corps joined in singing “Joy to the World.”
