November 21, 2007

Annas Bay choir performs a holiday concert Dec. 12 at the Belfair library

The Annas Bay Community Choir, directed by Matthew Melendez Blegen, will sing "A Classical Holiday in Lullabies and Nursery Rhymes," a concert for adults and families Wednesday, December 12 at 7 p.m. at Belfair’s North Mason Timberland Library. The concert is free of charge and open to the public, a gift and annual seasonal tradition of the Friends of the North Mason Timberland Library.

The choir will sing "Nursery Rhyme Suite," written by regional composer Paula Fendler. The composition uses the words of familiar nursery rhymes to present a history of Western classical music from Gregorian and polyphonic chant to the compositions of Mozart and Beethoven. Mr. Blegen describes the work as delightful and often humorous. He explains that the use of familiar rhymes, including a tongue twister or two, allows listeners to really hear each musical style without having to concentrate on the words.

The choir will also perform holiday lullabies including "Ave Maria," arranged by Shelton composer and chorister, Cathryn Mecham. The members of the Annas Bay Community Choir are all local volunteers, sharing their joy in music with their neighbors.

Blegen is the founder and general director of the Annas Bay Music Festival, held annually on the Hood Canal in Union. The organization’s Web site is www.annasbay.org. An accomplished classical vocalist who has sung professionally throughout the nation, Blegen is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Washington Master of Music program.

The North Mason Timberland Library is located at 23081 NE State Route 3, Belfair. For more information or directions, please call the library at (360) 275-3232 or visit the Timberland Regional Library Web site at www.trlib.org.　

Revised 11/24/07