St. Louis Concert Choir to Present

Patriotic Christmas Musical Dec. 6

In a year when America has headed off to war, prayed for our sons and daughters in harm’s way, and fought for and defended the rights of freedom at home and abroad, our nation has also drawn close to celebrate the things we value most in our land: family, faith and freedom. What better time than this to celebrate Christmas with an American flair!

In a spectacular celebration - filled with music and dance, drama and laughter, lights and sets, and joy and surprises- the St. Louis Concert Choir will present their annual Christmas production this year entitled Red, White & Blue Christmas. The metro area’s brightest and best singers, dancers, actors and kids combine their talents for two performances on Saturday, December 6, at the Dale Williams

Fine Arts Center on the campus of Missouri Baptist University in west St. Louis County.

            Formed in the fall of 1996, the St. Louis Concert Choir, under the direction of veteran conductor, Bob Pickett (Associate Pastor at Grace Church – St. Louis) is a community choir of Christian musicians from all across the Greater St. Louis area. Representing nearly 30 different churches, the Choir rehearses monthly at Grace Church - Saint Louis in Maryland Heights. This enthusiastic group of dedicated and talented singers will join forces with the kids from DaySpring School of Arts in Maryland Heights, MO and the new Ekklesia Contemporary Dance Company under the direction of choreographer, Christina McArthur, to present a concert of favorite Christmas music, old and new.

Featuring the best of American music from the past half century, recalling great popular sounds and singers from Bing Crosby to Diana Ross to ‘N Sync, the program has something for everyone. The production, featuring a cast of nearly 100, will help audiences reflect on great American Christmas experiences, and honor great modern American heroes. With a tribute to those serving in our Armed Forces, a special appearance by Uncle Sam and a chance to stand up and cheer, audiences will be reminded why we live in the best country on earth. There will also be a powerful reminder of the true reason for the Christmas season, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and a living nativity scene with a 21st century surprise.

Audiences will be treated to the vocal and dramatic talents of America’s premiere biblical actor, Ken Lee. Mr. Lee, a resident of St. Charles, MO is back with the Choir as special guest artist and will also perform as a member of the Three Tenors. He also serves as dramatic director for the production. Joining Mr. Lee are two other powerful tenor vocalists, Brian Flanagan, soloist and songwriter from Florissant, MO and Brian Brown, who makes his first appearance with the Choir. Mr. Brown has been featured with the Michigan/Ohio Concert Choir for seven years, and featured in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

            Red, White & Blue Christmas features a program of musical Christmas favorites including songs recorded on the group’s last two albums, Exceeding Great Joy! and Christmas: A Timeless Treasure, plus new material written for this production. These lush musical settings mix contemporary and classical styles to prove the timeless nature of the Christmas celebration. The St. Louis Concert Choir, along with the Concert Choir Ensemble, the DaySpring Kids, and the Brotherhood men’s chorus, are all featured in the first act, singing classic carols and standards including Jingle Bells Collage, Deck the Halls, O Come, All Ye Faithful, The Christmas Song, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and the stirring patriotic finale, Let Freedom Ring. This portion of the program also features both the jazz saxophonist, Tim Cunningham, and The Shaefer Brothers - a quartet of teenagers from Kirkwood, MO.

Combine the talents of the Concert Choir and Ensemble, the Three Tenors - whose powerful voices fill the house - and the graceful dance troupe from Ekklesia, the rich vocals of the Brotherhood men’s chorus, the Shaefer Brothers and the 30 energetic performers in the DaySpring Kids, and there’s a soul lifting variety that will please everyone.

In addition to the Concert Choir, and the guest artists, the concert will also feature soloists Lisa Rogerson, Jerome Rogers, Madeline Williams, Kathleen Shaefer, David Shaefer, Cindy Ramsour, and Joe Tolan.

Red, White & Blue Christmas will be presented twice at the beautiful Pillsbury Chapel in the Dale Williams Fine Arts Center on the Missouri Baptist University campus located on Mason Road and Highway 40 in west Saint Louis County. Curtain times are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. There is ample free parking. Tickets are available by calling (800) 993-SING (7464), or by contacting any member of the Choir. Singers interested in joining this on-going community choir, are invited to contact Mr. Pickett at (636) 926-0701.