Sue Olsen
For The New Era
The Sweet Home Singing Christmas Tree is in full swing, planning its 25th annual music production. Although it has been just three months since the 2005 performance, the New Year has begun with a bang.
The 2006 program promises to be a showcase of the many talented people who have sung with the choir over its history. Invitations will soon be sent out to past participants asking and encouraging them to join the choir for a reunion of many voices.
If a past member does not receive an invitation, he/she can contact any member of the Tree’s Board of Directors to get information on the practice and program schedules.
The 2006 Board includes Susan (Sue) Olson, serving once again as board chairman; Ben Allen, serving as vice chairman; Sherry Johnston, secretary; and Kari Bennett, newly elected treasurer. At-large Board members are Corinna Dominy, Jay Kimball, and Susan Thompson. Pro-Tem members are Molly Laycock and Debora Olson. David Dominy will continue as the new musical director and Paul Rowton will be returning as a musical director to also lead the choir. Bill Langdon will continue as the major accompanist. Deb Cooley, with Jan Barthell, retired Sweet Home School District elementary music teacher, will lead the Youth Choir.
The program theme for 2006 will be “One Wintry Night and part of the second half of the program will include several choruses from Handel’s “Messiah.” The remainder of the music will be chosen later this monthand will include many past favorites. The program will be presented by the youth choir, instrumentalists, an ensemble, and solo acts, as well as the main adult Tree choir.
Membership in the adult choir is open to anyone wishing to participate in the program, dedicating themselves to the time and effort needed to present a quality program. There are no adult auditions, nor is there any fee required to participate. Practice rehearsals will begin in September.
The Singing Christmas Tree is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to presenting a holiday program and encouraging the performing arts in Sweet Home and the mid-Willlamette Valley.
The holiday program is given to the community as a gift. There is no admittance charge or ticket fee for anyone wishing to see any of the three performances given in early December. Donations are accepted from audiences.
To help fund the program, the Board of Directors is actively seeking grants and writing fund-raising letters that are sent to local businesses. Donations are accepted any time during the year. Simply send a check or money order to The Sweet Home Singing Christmas Tree at P.O. Box 554, Sweet Home, OR 97386. All monies donated to the Tree are tax-deductible. The Tree will share funds left after its projects are accomplished, with other 501(c)3 organizations involved in the arts and the Sweet Home High School Performing Arts Department.
The Board of Directors met in January and February to begin the Tree’s official business. In July, members of the Board of Directors host an Arts and Crafts Show as a fund raising effort for the musical program. The Show will be held July 8, 2006, during Sweet Home’s annual Sportsmans’ Holiday Celebration and Sweet Home Rodeo week-end. Applications for vendors are available from Sherry Johnston. The show will include vendors from throughout the valley in Sweet Home High School’s auditorium foyer and the breezeway at the school.