Shown at a recent practice, the Webster City Community Choir is preparing to present its 37th annual Christmas Concert Saturday and Sunday. Joining the choir will be a three-piece band, the Webster City Hand Bell Choir, and a flute quartet which is making its debut performance this year. A new sound control board, and an extensive network of microphones and speakers will ensure a top quality audio experience for the audience. — Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Tamiann Parrott

One of Webster City’s best-loved Christmas traditions is the annual performance of the Community Christmas Concert.

Marking its 37th year in 2024, this year’s concert will feature everything regular attendees expect: live music, a 36-member choir, and the Webster City Hand Bell Choir.

Making its debut this year, is a new four-member flute choir.

Dr. Mark Andrew, manager of the Concert, explained that rehearsals for the concert begin well in advance of the Christmas season.

“We hold weekly rehearsals every Tuesday beginning in September. We’ve put in an extra practice this week, leading up to the event, to replace one that was cancelled due to a schedule conflict with parent-teacher conferences.”

Andrew added, “We’re always looking for new singers and musicians. There are no auditions.”

The title of this year’s concert is “A Babe is Born,” and musical selections will generally follow that theme.

“Music Director Dane Barner selects the music for each year’s program,” Andrews said. “We don’t tend to use the same songs every year, but there are some he insists on. He looks over the programs of past years at our library of music, including music in our school’s collections and, if necessary, orders new music as required.”

The choirs will be accompanied by Kirk Greenly playing guitar, Eric Hansen on drums, and Peggy Owens on piano.

Tamiann Parrott began working to assemble Webster City’s new flute choir in August.

“I’d played in ensembles where we lived previously, and missed it after we moved here,” she explained.

The number of instruments in an ensemble can vary, but there must be at least two, in which case, it’s known as a duet. Three musicians make a trio; four, a quartet; and so on.

The new flute quartet is made up of Jackson Meyer, Gabriella Sebert, Kaitlyn Seeley and Parrott. Meyer and Sebert are students at Webster City High School. For them, playing with adults in the quartet augments the experience they have in band class.

“The students are working toward a solo and ensemble competition in February,” Parrott said. “A key part of the competition is a thorough evaluation of their playing. It’s critical feedback they need to improve their work, especially if they continue with flute.”

There will be two performances of this year’s concert. Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Both take place at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1229 Kathy Lane, Webster City.

There’s no charge to attend, but a freewill offering will be collected to benefit ongoing restoration of the historic Webster Theater.

Both concerts are dedicated to the memory of longtime community chorus member Susan Andrew, who died in September.