If you goWhat: Chattanooga Boys Choir’s Singing Christmas Tree.When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.Admission: $10-$30.Website: www.ChattanoogaOnStage.com
The Chattanooga Boys Choir is celebrating its holiday tradition, the Singing Christmas Tree, for the 52nd year on Saturday, Dec. 6, and joining the boys is a popular local musical act making its first appearance in the show.
The UTC Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Monte Coulter, will be featured in this year’s concert – appropriately themed “Little Drummer Boy.” The percussion ensemble will perform individually as well as with the boys, says CBC director Vic Oakes.
Coulter says at the time the UTC students were asked to perform, the Mocs football team had not yet made it to the playoffs. Now Saturday’s playoff game in Finley Stadium coincides with the Singing Christmas Tree’s 2 p.m. matinee, so the percussion ensemble is dividing to be in two places at once.
“What we’re doing is extremely difficult. We’re taking almost every percussion instrument the university owns, and driving them to the Tivoli for four days in the middle of final exams week. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to do it again. It’s taken weeks and weeks to work out. But we’re doing it because Vic asked us to, and it’s wonderful visibility for us,” says Coulter.
Oakes says about 80 boys will fill the branches (or tiers) of the onstage Christmas tree, which will be decorated by choir parents. A tradition associated with the Singing Tree is that the choristers vote for two young singers to be the angels on the top of the tree. It’s considered an honor to get that top spot. This year’s angels are Carter Perryman at the 2 p.m. show and Max Wiley in the 7:3o p.m. performance.
The choir will perform holiday songs from a variety of cultures; among them, the Hebrew piece “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem,” and an “African Noel” with African drumming by members of the UTC ensemble.
Coulter says the Percussion Ensemble will play “Doomsday Machine,” from an old “Star Trek” TV show segment, and Bizet’s “Farandole.” The drummers will join the boys for arrangements of “Carol of the Bells” and “Coventry Carol.”
Also featured in the program will be the Chattanooga Symphony Youth Orchestra and Ballet Tennessee. The boys will sing music from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” while the Ballet Tennessee dancers present scenes from the Christmas production.
“In the original ‘Nutcracker,’ there is a small vocal part in the ‘Waltz of the Snowflakes.’ Very few people have choirs sing it in a performance anymore, usually filling that part in by artificial means like a synthesizer. We’re singing it,” says Oakes.
In addition to classics, Oakes says, the program will include current hits as well such as “Do You Want To Build a Snowman?” from “Frozen.”
Oakes notes that the Singing Christmas Tree is a showcase for the talent of local young people. In total, nearly 200 singers and instrumentalists will perform together.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.