By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
A premier Christmas event in the Castle Country makes its return as the Carbon Community Christmas Concert comes back for its 19th annual rendition. Jan Young joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the event and what is in store for one of the area’s favorite Christmas traditions.
Speaking first on the origins of the concert, Young shared,” It started between our pastor a long time ago. Actually, 22 years ago, he was visiting his doctor, who was also a musician and would play in the Messiah, so they got their heads together.”
She continued,” We actually have only four rehearsals. Three Sundays and a Thursday, and we get together, and I’m blown away by the talent that is there to sing. The Program is we have five Choral numbers, and then we have five Congregational numbers, so we get the audience involved in the whole concert.”
The audience participation section features classic Christmas fare such as ‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Silent Night’.
Also playing a role in the event is a children’s choir composed of interfaith youth from across the area. “I haven’t seen them and haven’t heard them because they’ve been practicing on their own, but I heard the song they are performing, and it’s gorgeous, and these kids are very talented for their age. So it’s a joy to have them be a part of the concert.”
Speaking on the choir-specific portion of the concert, Young shared some of the key moments attendees can look forward to: “Some of the songs that the choir is singing this time are ‘What Child is This?’ We have a new one, ‘He is Born the Divine Christ Child’. And then we have a one called ‘Shepherds Pipe Carol’.”
Giving words of encouragement to get the public out and involved with the concert, Young stated,” I would say definitely come, we usually get, we estimate, about 400 people. So if you’re gonna come and you want to sit up front, you need to come a little early because it goes all the way back in the LDS church.”
Closing our conversation, Young shared,” One person told me when I was in the grocery store that this is the beginning of their Christmas season when they come to the concert, so that made us feel really good.”
The 19th annual Carbon Community Christmas Concert takes place on Sunday, Dec. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 449 North, 100 East in Price.
