Choirs from different counties collaborate for concert
West Fort Hill – On Sunday, members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs met together for the first rehearsal of a concert that will take place at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Robbinsville United Methodist Church.
The Christmas-themed performance will coincide with the holiday festivities throughout Robbinsville and will be called “Music in the Mountains.”
After a meal prepared by the Methodist Church, the two choirs combined their efforts and practiced the songs together that each choir has been learning separately since August.
“We have never experienced anything like that,” shared Robbinsville United Methodist Church Choir Director Anna Ginn.
The idea came about when Bryson City First Baptist Church Choir Director J Gilbert and choir member Karen Fleming joined the Robbinsville Methodist choir for the “Summer on Fort Hill” program. Several members of the Robbinsville choir couldn’t participate and Gilbert – who sings bass – and Fleming – a soprano – joined the choir and shared their talents. This union sparked an idea to combine both choirs for a Christmas program.
Each choir has been working on the selections, but Sunday's practice was the first time they had met together to practice.
Combined, the choirs are about 35-40 strong. J Gilbert's daughter Lori Gilbert will be the accompanist for the program.
“I wanted to get the choir out of their comfort zone,” Ginn admitted. “Our faith connects us together."
The Robbinsville United Methodist Church choir will return the favor by traveling to Bryson City First Baptist Church on Sunday, Dec. 14, to perform the concert. The program will begin at 10:30 a.m.
The Robbinsville United Methodist Church Choir will also be singing from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, at Robbinsville Episcopal Church, as part of the Annual Robbinsville Tree Lighting. There will also be a Christmas sing-along and various musical talents will perform before the tree-lighting crowd.
Ginn has directed the Robbinsville United Methodist Church Choir for the past four years. She is interested in forming a community choir for everyone that loves to sing. It is open to everyone.
Practices will be held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., at Robbinsville United Methodist Church.