By Catherine Ellerton
Moapa Valley Progress
Last week’s performance by Valley Voices and Valley Voicettes was a heartwarming concert that reminded the audience this is truly “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
The Ron Dalley Theatre in Moapa Valley High School was decked out in outstanding Christmas stars and ornaments thanks to the recent Ute Perkins Elementary holiday program, as the local choral group sang a concert entitled “A Few of Our Favorite Things.”
During the Wednesday, Dec. 15 concert, Linda Lyon proved to be a simpatico accompanist throughout the evening. Her considerable talent was demonstrated in Schwoebel’s “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
Director Robin Maughan put together an interesting program of holiday favorites and managed to find a new song or two.
The men and women of the chorus not only offer a warm blending of sound which is displayed in the unique arrangements, they shine when they stand alone as the men did in a very good presentation of Petke’s “Rejoice and Sing Noel!” and when the women of the chorus harmoniously delivered Zaninelli’s “Alleluia, Silent Night.”
The Valley Voicettes join the festivities each year. The group delighted the audience with its selections. While a patter song, “Christmas Cookies,” was not only easy on the ears, it was a delight to watch. I am not sure who had more fun – the audience or the young singers.
The group has grown in its abilities under the guidance of Ellen Potter, who is in her last year with the choirs and as executive director of the MV Performing Arts Council.
She will be moving on – literally. The Valley’s loss is Wyoming’s gain.
Mary Lou Whitney on the recorder and Kay Batchelor on the flute presented a fine accompaniment to a new song (to me) of “Somewhere in My Memory.”
It has been a joy to watch the development of the vocal talent of young Megan Potter. Once again she offered a listenable solo (at the last minute) in “Starlight Carol” by Rock/Harlan.
These annual presentations by local musicians always start Christmas off on the right note.
I join with Valley Voices and Voicettes and the MV Performing Arts Council in wishing that you “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
