Christmas Sing Along & Allegheny Mountain String Project Performance Set for December 11

You can get into the Christmas Spirit at The Highland Center on Sunday, December 11.  You are invited to come sing Christmas carols and enjoy a performance by the students of the Allegheny Mountain String Project.

Elizabeth Lohr-Myers, the Executive Director of The Highland Center, has more.

“So, we’re planning to start the afternoon at 3 o’clock with some traditional carols that people will be familiar with, then the string students will perform,” says Lohr-Myers.  “Then we will take a quick intermission for cookies and hot chocolate and anyone who wishes to stay after that for some more complex choral music is welcome to stay.  Nancy Vance, who was the Director of the Community Choir in the past, will lead the group in a number of choral pieces.”

All voices and ages are welcome to come and sing.  Part singing is encouraged.

“I think it’s important to give people reasons to gather together, reasons that don’t involve spending any money, just the joy of spending time together especially at this time of year,” says Lohr-Myers.  “That’s why the Highland Center is really here.  It’s a gathering place for the community. So, we are always happy to host any event we can think of.”

Gretta Sandberg is the Orchestra Director for the Allegheny Mountain String Project and the string instructor for the Highland County students.

“We are going to play a piece that has some Christmas music and Hanukkah music all wrapped into one, it’s called Holiday Magic,” says Sandberg.  “The kids seem to really enjoy it and it’s very seasonal, obviously.  We are also doing one called Tango Trocadero, which is a very old orchestra piece for young orchestras. So, they are excited about playing that piece.  It’s a tango and one of the members said ‘We should hold a red rose in our teeth while we play this.’”

The Allegheny Mountain String Project has been underway for about 13 years.  It’s made up of students from Allegheny, Bath and Highland Counties and now has a member from West Virginia.  It’s a comprehensive string program where students learn violin, viola, cello and bass.  It provides an orchestra and chamber music experience, along with exposing students to bluegrass music and more.

“I think it’s going to be a really fun thing, a sing along for the community and I encourage everybody who likes to sing some Christmas carols to come out,” says Sandberg.  “Just join in the fun of singing Christmas carols together, listen to the kids play, have some hot chocolate and cookies.  It’s going to be just a fun, family-oriented concert.  I think everybody will really enjoy, to kick off your holiday season.”

The Christmas Sing-Along and performance by the Allegheny Mountain String Project is Sunday, December 11 beginning at 3pm at The Highland Center in Monterey.  Free will donations will be accepted.  If you like, you can also bring cookies to share.