(With help from Unity Music Festival Association)
UNITY — A Grinchy, Jack Frost style storm didn’t stop joyful musical sounds from filling the Unity Composite High School gym on Dec. 18 for the community carol festival.
A cold-braving audience clapped enthusiastically for 17 solos that included a prelude from Kendyl, Rowyn and Keanna on piano, and Sadie on saxophone. Ten vocals, five piano numbers, a guitar, violin and more saxophone music filled the program. Jocelyn, Crystal, Ripley, Madison, Avyne, Melody, Donna, Diane and Kreolee added the vocals. Keanna, Jacelyn, Baylee, Harper, Emily and Molly shared their piano talent. Sadie played saxophone and Will shone with his violin.
The Twilight Singers serenaded everyone with two beautiful harmonic songs.
Imagine a Christmas adventure with hippos, trees, chestnuts, reindeer, decking halls, a winter wonderland, lists from children and adults, hazards of loving an elf, an experience of feeling blessed, a holy and a silent night, a manger child, King, Hallelujah and Immanuel all adding up to a glorious afternoon.
MC Brent Hepting did an admirable job of keeping the program flowing smoothly. Greg Bick, an expert sound man, set up each performance with top quality. President Chrystal Fawell’s message spoke of how the Christmas season is a time of giving, hope, and celebration, especially with the joy in music. She felt this spirit in the building with the gift of live performances.
Molly Orobko, most outstanding piano performer from the spring music festival, brought sweet Christmas joy to life with her “Away in a Manger” performance. A number of the performers joined Chrystal’s choir to close the program and truly wish all a merry Christmas.
Unity Music Festival Association is organized and operated entirely by volunteers. In order to maintain a high-quality festival in Unity, many volunteers are urgently needed, with musical talent or knowledge not necessary to contribute. Those interested in helping the UMF Association in continuing their goals of providing a festival and Christmas Carol Festival each year, can contact Diane Neil at 306-228-8517.
Unity Music Festival Association has a long history in the community, holding its first local festival in May of 1962. The Christmas community carol festival has also been running for decades. Being blessed with the gift of music provided by talented local singers and musicians is a benefit enjoyed because of the commitment of the association’s volunteers, some of whom have been part of the organization for many years, even when they no longer have family involved in the activities.
