The River Singers Community Chorus led by Mary Cay Brass is celebrating its 25th anniversary of joyous singing together with two holiday concerts on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m., at Next Stage in Putney.
To mark its 25th year, the choir is releasing a new “Best of 25 Years” CD - a cornucopia of songs from many lands, including South Africa, the Balkans, the Republic of Georgia, and the British Isles, as well as American folk hymns and gospel. According to a news release, the two shows will feature songs of joy, health, love, and peace from a similar range of places and traditions.
Special guest musicians Walter Slowinski, clarinet, Richie Davis, percussion, Joe Blumenthal, bass, and other resident choir musicians will join the River Singers on both nights.
The 95-voice River Singers is a multigenerational chorus known for its eclectic mix of community-based music from many cultural and musical traditions.
The admission fees from the two shows will be donated to further musical diplomacy between the U.S. and Bosnia and Hercegovina by helping to bring three teenage girls to attend a New England-based Village Harmony singing camp next summer as well as a renowned Bosnian choir director to teach at that camp.