Presents, time with family, trees, decorations, caroling and
great food are all ways to celebrate the Christmas season. Another
way to be festive and to ring in the holidays is to sing and
listen.
Presents, time with family, trees, decorations, caroling and great food are all ways to celebrate the Christmas season. Another way to be festive and to ring in the holidays is to sing and listen.
Several Christmas concerts will take place this month to bring together the community and light up the evenings. Whether the musicians are married with children or still children themselves, they’re coming together to celebrate music and the holidays.
A Christmas concert for the United Way will celebrate music and the spirit of giving.
“We want to build up the community spirit as much as add to the coffers of the charity we’re sponsoring,” said Nancy McDowell, coordinator of the Hollister Business Professionals Concerts for Charity.
The concert will feature more than performers who are local musicians or business employees. Businesses such as McDowell’s Wellness Clinic and Spa and the Herb Attic will be represented. There will be singing and instrumental entertainment. The event is free and will be held Saturday.
By sponsoring a charity such as the United Way, McDowell said concert-goers learn more about the organization and can offer to donate money.
“It’s more about giving from the heart,” she said.
The Concerts for Charity began after Sept. 11, 2001 as the community’s response to the terrorist attacks, McDowell said.
The two-hour concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Younger community members will get a chance to show off their talent when groups like the Rancho-Maze Middle Schools Band and the Hollister School District Elementary Band perform Christmas Concerts.
The Rancho-Maze Band has about 150 students, a jazz and concert band and a choir. Rancho San Justo Middle School Principal Cindy Cordova said the concert is about more than a single holiday.
“It’s a winter concert. It’s not just about Christmas,” she said. “It’s about our students performing. It’s a celebration of their work. The concert is about enjoying the wonderful music and (the students’) talents.”
The Winter Concert will be held Dec. 19 at the Rancho San Justo Gymnasium.
One night earlier, younger students will be featured in the HSD Elementary Band Christmas Concert, also at Rancho San Justo. Both performances are free.
A local group of musicians will entertain an audience with Christmas songs and Handel’s Messiah at SBHS Saturday.
The Oriana Chorale has been performing concerts for 18 years in Hollister. Its approximately 50 members range from college students to senior citizens. They will perform with a cellist and keyboardist along with the SBHS Choir.
Member Lee Leonard said the concert is about “uplifting and joyous music.”
“We’re offering joyous music to the community. It’s there for the taking,” he said.
Other concerts include the Watsonville Band performing in the Rancho San Justo gym and a Christmas musical at Rolling Hills Community Church.
Holiday Concerts
Saturday
-Christmas Music & The Messiah, presented by Oriana Chorale, in conjunction with the San Benito High School Choir. The performance by more than 40 members will include Handel’s Messiah, Christmas music and various chants. San Benito High School Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the door. Adults $12, teens $7 and children 12 and under free.
-Christmas Concert for the United Way, presented by the Hollister Business Professionals Concerts for Charity. More than 60 musicians will perform Christmas songs. Performers include the Bay Area Men’s Chorus, the Bayside Community Chorale and employees of various local businesses. First Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m. Free.
Wednesday
–Watsonville Band Christmas Concert, also known as the Watsonville Adult Community Marching and Concert Band, the band is in its 55th year. Rancho San Justo Middle School gym, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Dec. 14-15
-Christmas Musical, “Hark! The Angels Sing,” Rolling Hills Community Church, 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15. Free.
Dec. 18
-Hollister School District Elementary Band Christmas Concert. Conducted performers from the district’s elementary schools. Rancho San Justo gym, 7 p.m. Free.
Dec. 19
-Rancho-Maze Middle School Christmas Concert. Band includes about 150 middle-school students, jazz and concert bands and a choir performing Christmas songs. Rancho San Justo Gym, 7:30 p.m. Free.
