Soft heavenly voices float around the walls, and instruments roar through the doors of the music suite. Every year the high school ensemble, concert choir, jazz band and concert band perform for family and friends at the FC Christmas Concert on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.

“This concert has been a tradition for many years,” choir and ensemble director, Marc Ferguson, said. “It has been in existence for well over 20 years.”

From the beginning of the school year, choir and band prepare for the concert. Months of hard work, memorization and commitment pay off in the end.

“The band has been working very hard and continues to do so,” Paul McEntee, jazz and band director, said. “The practices are getting more intense in preparation for the performance, but I know that they will do great at the concert.”

A new flavor was added to some of the choir songs by including instruments in addition to the piano. One of the songs, “They Had Joy” that choir sings has McEntee playing a guitar.

“I love how choir is adding other instruments to “They Had Joy,” Leah Brouwer, ’03, said. “It sounds great and would be wonderful if other songs had instruments accompany the piano, too.”

In Ferguson’s opinion, the purpose of the Christmas Concert is to get people in the Christmas Spirit!

“We want to share our music with friends and family,” Ferguson said. “Our intention is to spread the good news of Jesus’ birth to the people we love dearly.”

Like athletes, music students look forward to perform for people, to show what they have been working so hard for.

“I’ve been participating in this concert for about three years now,” Sam Westra, ’03, said. “I enjoy being apart of choir and band, plus I get to show off my talents to people.”

For parents, grandparents, and others plan to attend, there will be an offering taken to benefit the staff and teachers at Christmas.

This year’s FC Christmas Concert will be held at Community Bible Church on Maple & Nees.

For more information on the concert, parents and students can contact the high school office at 297-9464 ext. 125 or Paul McEntee ext. 131.
” “Sheree Temple, Photographer” “The choir warms up prior to singing at the Metropolitian Museum in Fresno on Dec. 10. The choir, ensemble, and jazz band all are scheduled to perform at the annual FC Christmas Concert on Dec. 16 at Community Bible Church.” “” “” “