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The sounds of Christmas cheer will soon be coming to Winchester. 

The Winchester Chorale is once more presenting its annual Christmas concert. 

“Many people say that the chorale concert is the start of their Christmas season in the Winchester community,” said Bill James, President of the Winchester Chorale Board. “We started in 1993, which makes this the thirty-first season.” 

The concert—which will take place at Central Baptist Church at 101 W. Lexington Avenue—is admission-free to the public, although donations are accepted to support different causes. 

A concert will be held twice this year: on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2:30 p.m. 

In the weeks prior, numerous rehearsals were held to prepare for the event. 

“We have fifty-four singers this year,” added James. “We started [rehearsals] in September…practicing every Monday,” 

Among those singing was Perri Wilson, Director of the Clark County Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). 

Jim Cowan, a former middle and high school science teacher in Winchester, serves as chorale director. 

“Though I’m not professionally trained, I have sat under many excellent conductors and have tried to absorb as much as I possibly can,” he said. “This is a wonderful group…they are a lot of fun. They truly are enthusiastic about the music, the program, the opportunity to sing for the community, and I couldn’t ask for a better group to work with.” 

The concert also features a flutist, cellist, bass guitar player, and drummer. 

Among the many songs being sung will be “Glory, Hallelujah! ‘Tis a Wonderful Thing!” which is also the name of this year’s concert. 

Yet that’s not all. 

An eclectic range of options gives listeners multiple preferences and reasons for enjoyment. 

“The songs range from contemporary to…new arrangements of old folk songs from back in the 17th century,” Cowan added. “We’ve got drum and bass helping us with some of the contemporary songs, especially ‘Rock Around the Christmas Tree’ and ‘Jingle Bell Rock.’ Then we have a flutist and a cellist who will be helping us on a couple of the more traditional, sacred Christmas songs.” 

With even more to offer, Cowan hopes that the community will come out to enjoy the concert. 

“We are hoping to present a [concert] that people will enjoy [with] songs that they will recognize and a few that they may not recognize, but I think…will fall in love with rather quickly,” he said.