Voices Rising to present concert Sunday

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Voices Rising will present a seasonal concert at Village Bible Church, 100 Ponderosa, beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is free and donations will be accepted. Voices Rising is a select ensemble specializing in a cappella numbers with rich harmonies and intricate rhythms, a news release said.

A second opportunity to hear parts of Voices Rising’s Christmas Concert at Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is free and audience members do not have to have a ticket to attend.

Emceed by the Ken Goodman, the Sunday concert will have songs that bring laughter and songs that invoke Christmas memories, as well as classical pieces, spirituals, and carols, creating an afternoon of music everyone can enjoy. The professionalism of the group will make the audience think the music seems effortless, but these musicians have rehearsed for hours to prepare this special time of welcoming the holidays, the release said.

Guest artist Donna Toney will accompany the group on several numbers, as well as create a lovely four-hand accompaniment with director Fran Stroud on one number. Kathy Olgilvie adds hauntingly beautiful texture with her violin to the music, including a specially arranged rendition of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Drums will enliven “Drummer Boy” when played by LeeAnn Branch for the concert, it said.

Each of Voices Rising’s last concerts have been full houses, so feel free to come when the doors open at 2:30 p.m. and start your Christmas season off with music for this special holiday time of year.

Submitted photo VOICES RISING: Voices Rising will present its Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at Village Bible Church, 100 Ponderosa Way. Admission is free with donations accepted. A cappella numbers, solos, men’s and ladies’ ensembles will present music that brings smiles and joy to all that attend. A shorter version of the concert will be presented at the Anthony Chapel in Garvan Woodland Gardens on Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Front, from left, are Joyce Barone, Carolyn Bowers, Alice Canham, Maureen Morgan, Carmen Edwards, Fran Stroud, director, Denise Steinhaus, Ruthe Korelitz and Jill Fitzgerald, and back, from left, are Marc Bremer, Keith Goudy, Bill Lamoureux and Irv Larson.