For almost 15 years now, local community choir the Coastal Voices has welcomed any and all singers to its ranks, including many a soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Though the group isn’t huge, explained director Margaret Nelson, it’s chock-full of spirited singers who love the art of choral music.
Performing twice a year, the Coastal Voices have reserved this year’s fall concert for a program titled Happy Holidays, which showcases a variety of beloved Christmas carols and holiday tunes.
“I put this program together hoping that there would be zero boredom and nothing but gorgeous music,” Nelson said.
This will include contemporary settings of old songs, newer ditties, and of course the traditionally arranged classics.
The iconic chorale style that has come to typify Christmas carols hails from the madrigal tradition in Europe and England during the Renaissance, which continued to influence chorale settings in the following eras of Western classical music. “Classical” music can come from any number of centuries under its broadest definition, Nelson said, but she prefers a more concise explanation.
“An understanding of classical music is just simply understanding the music that has stood the test of time,” she said. “We loved it then and we love it now.”
The Happy Holidays program will include many beloved melodies, including different settings of carols the chorus has performed before. In this way, Nelson likes to keep her choristers and the audience on their toes, she explained.
For the Coastal Voices’ president of the board, Marianne Greenelsh, it’s more than just the sound of the yuletide carols, it’s the feeling of making the music with friends and family that makes it special.
“Music has always been a part of Christmas, and I think going out and listening to Christmas music makes people feel uplifted and gives them a warm feeling,” Greenelsh said. “I know for me, singing is just a part of living, and when I sing it rejuvenates me and makes me feel alive, and I think that’s why people love music this time of year.”
In the true spirit of the season, neither of the two performances at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Orcutt will charge admission. The chorus will accept donations from those able to give, Nelson said, which helps out with the venue and other expenses for the choir.
The Coastal Voices used to charge for admission, but the holiday concerts especially are a chance for the community choir to give back a bit and offer a show that is accessible to local families, students, and more, Nelson said.
Those who attend are in for more than a few surprises. There will also be a performance by a guest quartet—that’s a female barbershop quartet including Greenelsh—that will perform a couple of tunes on its own. Other surprises include more lush, contemporary settings of beloved carols, as well as a holiday tune mashup that is designed to get listeners laughing as well as singing along.
“This year we’re also going to have some young kids performing as well,” Greenelsh said. “Margaret teaches voice, so they’re her students.”
Anyone interested in joining the chorus is always welcome, Nelson said, and the upcoming concert is a great chance to get acquainted with the Coastal Voices.
The community choir is a no-audition ensemble, she explained, and anyone is welcome to come lend their voice to the humble, music-loving group of singers. The only requirement is that new members must love to sing.
“It’s a wonderful choir, and we’re always accepting new members,” she said. “We have increased our riser size; we added a fourth step and a fourth section, and if more people come join us, then we will just get more risers.”
Arts Editor Joe Payne can be found in the bass section. Reach him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 10-17, 2015.
