Submitted

The Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society will present “The Spirit of Noel,” a free concert of familiar and new Christmas music on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at the First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St., Salisbury.

Directed by Emily Copeland, the concert will present both sacred and secular Christmas music. The sacred selections will begin with “Hallelujah Round of Praise” by Wolfgang Mozart and arranged by Austin C. Lovelace.

Two selections will be a combination of carols in “The First Noel/Pachelbel’s Canon,” arranged by Michael Clawson, and in “Sing We All Noel,” which combines “African Noel” and “Siyahamba” by Ruth Peterson.

The fourth sacred piece “Holy Emmanuel” was written for the choir and Director of Music Jonathan Vevia of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, Oregon. Using the melody of Svaty Emanuel, Paul D. Weber, the director of choral music at Lenoir-Rhyne University, arranged the music and provided text for a worship setting.

A piano duet by Dustin Shelton and George Mobley will provide an interlude.

The secular section includes the familiar songs “Carol of the Bells,” arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky, and “Home for the Holidays,” arranged by Lloyd Conley.

From the Broadway musical “Elf” comes “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” written by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar and arranged by Andy Beck.

The concluding selection is Mark Weston’s “Christmas… in About Three Minutes.” How is that possible?  Come and hear.

A portion of the offering received will be given to the One Church – One Child program. Donna Beaver will provide information about the organization, which helps children in need.

The Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society is funded by the Rowan Arts Council, the First United Church of Christ Foundation, the NC Arts Council and dedicated patrons and audience.

Come celebrate ”The Spirit of Noel” Saturday with carols and songs of the season.