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Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
RM Community Church musical offers 'Joy, Joy, Joy'
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Photo by Wendy Smith
The adult and children’s choirs of the Rancho Murieta Community Church perform their annual Christmas musical ‘Joy, Joy, Joy,’ which tells the tale of the Christmas story through song. The musical was held on Dec. 11, 12 and 14.
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By Wendy Smith
River Valley Times Staff
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The songs of Christmas filled the sanctuary of the Rancho Murieta Community Church on Dec. 11, 12 and 14 as the adult and children’s choirs performed in “Joy, Joy, Joy,” a musical based on the Christmas story.
Traditionally a ticketed event, the church chose to offer the performances for free, asking only for a donation form the audience. All of the proceeds will go toward the Community Share charitable organization that is run through the church, which provides help for the needy within the local community.
The adult choir sang most of the numbers, but the children’s choir joined them on the first two numbers, singing with buoyant enthusiasm. One of those numbers titled “A Joyful Noise” served as a vocal reminders to adults to put away cell phones, honking horns and Christmas shopping to focus on the true joys of the Christmas season. Decked in red shirts with a flask of gold and red ribbons in their hair, the young ladies in the choir looked as festive as they sounded.
The adult choir sang a series of songs ranging from high-spirited tunes to more contemplative lullabies as they easily transitioned from piece to piece with the aid of prerecorded background accompaniment and narration provided by Joe and Sharol Gaither. The seamlessly mellifluous readings were done without a single stutter, inappropriate pause or mispronunciation—an incredible feat for any orator. Spoken through microphones from a position behind the audience, it led many people present to believe the voice was part of the prerecorded track.
In addition to the flawless narration, the musical featured a series of soloists paired perfectly with each song to highlight tone and meaning. Jayne Kuntz kicked off the opening number with a powerful alto voice, setting the praise tone for the next several songs.
Chaya Pitcher and Deb Nellis offered a moving duet about Christmas day, the entwining voices recalling the warmth of close relationships. In his deep bass, Don McConnell served as a voice of the prophets, predicting in the Old Testament the coming of a savior.
The song “Wonderful” featured the light, high soprano voice of Kelly Stutts painting a view of the innocent joy of the season. Willa Whittenburg offered a soothing solo during “Immanuel” that was reminiscent of a mother singing to a child, and Loretta Cunneen sang with animated praise during the penultimate number of the show.
A multi-media presentation, the musical also featured images on two large screens serving as a background for the choir and occasionally providing words if those who attended wished to sing along. The audience added their voices when the pieces became more traditional carols.
Under the direction of interim Senior Pastor Rick Pitcher, with Maxine Feil leading the children, the choirs had obviously spent time and effort rehearsing. The four and five-part harmonies were tight, and the group nailed the essence of each song from boisterous praise to elegantly intimate. Capturing all of the emotions surrounding the season, the musical provided a catharsis for those present and a time to enjoy the best of what Christmas has to offer.
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Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
Web page design,
Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
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