The Zephyr Singers held their annual Christmas program, “Sounds of the Season,” on Dec. 6 at the Logandale Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ chapel. The event, directed by Gaye Nelson, featured a full choir, instrumentalists and special guest performers.

This year’s program included a variety of arrangements, beginning with Lloyd Larson’s “Sounds of the Season.” Other selections included “Jazz Gloria” by Natalie Sleeth, “A Child of Hope” by Ryan Murphy and “Still, Still, Still,” arranged by David von Kampen. Additional pieces such as “The First Noel,” “The Manger of Bethlehem” and “He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child” ended the program. The concert concluded with Murphy’s arrangement of “Ring Those Christmas Bells.”

Nelson said coordinating the range of pieces required significant preparation. “The biggest challenge was bringing everything together: the instruments, parts and arrangements,” she said. “I wrote many of the parts myself. It was a lot of work, but everyone was great to work with and knew their role well.”

Instrumental support included piano, organ, flute, cello, string bass, percussion and handbells. A small orchestra joined the choir for several selections. Eighth-grade vocalist Jaeda Muaina performed solos on “Noel” and “The Manger of Bethlehem.” Jaeda was accompanied by Jensen Blake on the cello and Joyce Lyon on the piano for “Noel.” Members of the choir also contributed individual features, including a duet by John and Deon Zerkle.

Longtime choir member Vicki Willard said the group’s weekly rehearsals contribute to its consistency. “We rehearse every week starting in August for this Christmas season, and even though it’s a lot of work, it always comes together,” she said. She added that this year’s added instruments strengthened the program. “The instruments brought great energy,” she said.

Willard has been part of the choir since its early years. “I was in the original Zephyr group in the mid-1990s when there were only eight of us,” she said. “It has grown a lot, and the valley has more talent than people realize.”

Nelson said the choir’s success comes from the dedication of local singers. “We have amazing talent in this valley,” she said. “People come because they want to sing, and that makes a difference in what we’re able to produce.”

The program listed more than 30 choir members, including sopranos, altos, tenors and basses, along with instrumentalists, working together to create a great success. Katie Rose and Sherrie Whitney accompanied on piano and organ. Additional thanks were given to members of the string quartet, percussion and other supporting musicians.

Nelson said the 2025 Christmas program was positive overall. “We’ve had a great time with this concert,” she said. “We’ll begin preparing for next season in January.”

The program ended with a message to the audience: “We wish you a Merry Christmas.”