Just in time to add their garlands of vocal merriment to the area’s seasonal preparations, the Cochise College Choir, directed by Sunny Fichtl, is to sing “A Classical Christmas” concert at four locations: Douglas, Benson, Sonoita-Elgin and Sierra Vista.  Fichtl has chosen a program filled with traditional carols and contemporary works shiningly arranged to shimmer as if for the first time. The free concert is to be sung in late November and early December.

After six years, this program is to be Fichtl’s final concert tour with the choir. Although she will continue to teach some courses at the college, a new conductor is expected to take over the podium next semester.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas,’ arranged by Howard Cable for the Canadian Brass,” cites Fichtl, “has a very different classical twist.” Instead of “A Partridge in a Pear Tree,” the audience will hear “Some Brass Music on a CD.” Confides the conductor, “Each day of Christmas features a different composer, including Scheidt, Purcell, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Rossini, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin and Copland.”

John Rutter’s “Brother Heinrich’s Christmas” is another enriching selection that features narrators Barb Phibbs, Mike Rosen, Lori Fleetwood, Marty Huffman, Ed Lopez, Beth Dechant, Pam Enright, Kylee Chandler, Doug Petersen, Russell Watson, Dreena Campana, Liza Weissler, Lisa Roland, Jan Groth, Robert Weissler, and Maryann Hockstad.

Among the classical carols the choir is to sing are “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” by Wilbur Chenoweth, “Sheep May Safely Graze” by J. S. Bach (arranged by K.K. Davis), and the beloved processional hymn, “Adeste” (arranged by Edmund Hughes).

Two numbers by Benjamin Britten, “A Hymn to the Virgin” and “This Little Babe,” are to be sung.  A quartet comprised of Gail Phelps, Liza Weissler, Doug Petersen, and Robert Weissler sings the first Britten work with the choir while the whole chorus carols the second.

Ensembles are spotlighted in four holiday works. The Provencal carol, “Touro-louro-louro” (arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw); “What Cheer” by William Walton; and “And All the Town Be Merry” by Linda Spevacek. The fourth work is a Hanukkah Hymn, “Rock of Ages,” (arranged by Samuel Adler), to add that seasonal aspect to the non-sectarian program.

Soloists Beth Dechant and Gail Phelps are featured in John Jouber’s “Torches.” Additional choral works include Emma Lou Diemer’s “The Bells,” and Robert J. Powell’s “Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres.”

Members of the choir are: Elin Boughner, Dreena and Lou Campana, Heather Carter, Bill Cassidy, Kylee Chandler, Beth Dechant, Pam and Kevin Enright, Lori Fleetwood, Jan Groth, Maryann Hockstad, Judy and Mary Huffman, Donna Hunt, Harriet Kolen, Deb Kolveit, Ed Lopez, Tammy Moro, Susan Mount, Doug Petersen, Gail Phelps, Barbar Phibbs, Lisa Roland, Michael Rosen, Vivian Stewart, Russell Watson, Liza and Robert Weissler, and Phil Wralstad.

The first concert is at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at the Douglas Presbyterian Church; followed by a 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, performance at Elgin Elementary School in Sonoita. On Friday, Dec. 7, the choir sings at 7 p.m. at the Benson Presbyterian Church, with a final 3 p.m. concert Saturday, Dec. 8 at Sierra Vista’s Kino Hall by St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church.  It is the Cochise choir’s first appearance at Kino.

Whereas there is no admission fee, contribution boxes will be available for those who wish to give to the tax-deductible Cochise College Foundation. The funds will be designated for vocal music scholarships.