By Frances Stebbins
{A Reflection}
The holiday concert by The Salem Choral Society just gets better and better.
Over the decade or more that I have attended the event, directed by S. Reed Carter IV, the quality of the singing in Salem Presbyterian Church seemed higher as the program was presented the past Sunday.
Since I’m limiting my driving these days, I was privileged to get transportation with friend and news writing colleague Meg Hibbert who also sings tenor in the choir.
She had to be at the event an hour before the 4 p.m. starting time, so I had the chance to not only hear the final rehearsal of one selection but also to witness preparation of the historic worship area.
That included the erection of a window screen against the weak afternoon sun. A choir member climbed a tall step-ladder to fasten the screen in place; fortunately, no one was hurt when the screen slipped from its anchoring and fell to the floor. A second try to placement was successful.
In one of the last selections, “The Work of Christmas,” listeners are urged to get out into the world to do what is needed for others after the holiday with its beloved and familiar symbols –evergreen trees, angels, stars and perhaps music—has passed away for another year.
That’s how I felt as I sat in my preferred spot on a pew near the front. There I can watch the skillful and familiar pianist Rachel Fauber as she accompanies the choir.
In Sunday’s concert Pam Elgin joined her at the keyboard in three familiar songs of the season, “Ding, Dong Merrily On High,” “Angels From the Realms of Glory” and “The First Noel.”
Carter doesn’t confine his program to the lovely and familiar carols, but, as he remarked when introducing a number, he’s not fond of much popular Christmas music.
{I’m with him there, not mentioning titles, but everyone to his/her taste. After all, secular Yuletide songs have been around since certainly the Nineteenth Century, for my mother taught me some of them many decades ago.}
At the Dec. 11 program, much was familiar to me. There are always many familiar faces, for Salem area music lovers have learned of the high quality of the annual production.
There are many white-haired –and bald—folk in the congregation; a few bring grandchildren. Late-comers can ascend to the balcony, for being one of only a few worship buildings in use in the city dating from prior to the Civil War, simply designed “Salem Pres” is from a different day.
All its room is needed when the choral group performs.
Attired in black—my companion feared tripping in her flared-leg satin pants in our short walk from parking—the approximately 50 singers include about as many altos as sopranos. They are augmented by five tenors –three men and two women—and seven basses.
A special feature Sunday was the selection, “All My Heart This Night Rejoices” as Autumn Edson played its accompaniment on the French Horn. The director, tracing its history, said it’s one of his favorites.
All such treats come with a price, and though there is no admission charge, Carter does appeal for donations. He noted that there’s a small membership fee to belong, and a number of Salem area businesses and individual donate regularly.
I found the variety of music interesting. Though, as said, the comic and clearly secular songs are omitted, the familiar popular melodies by Irving Berlin are there as well as a Spiritual or two from the Black tradition.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday nights at 7 resuming for the season on Jan. 31 at an entrance at the rear of Salem Presbyterian Church, North Market and East Main Streets. More information is available on the church’s web site.
The Spring Concert at Salem Presbyterian is scheduled Sunday, April 30, at 4 p.m. For the popular Patriotic Concert held on July 2 a larger site and time will be announced later.
Now Christmas can begin!
