Noteworthy women's chorus to perform Christmas music in Calumet, Hancock

Singers from Noteworthy, the Copper Country women's barbershop chorus, perform holiday songs at last year's Christmas tree lighting in Calumet. The group will give two Christmas concerts this year -- Dec. 6 in Calumet and Dec. 13 in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now file photo, 2011)

CALUMET -- Noteworthy, the Copper Country's only women's barbershop chorus, will headline two concerts of music for the Christmas season. Both begin at 7 p.m. and benefit local charities.

The first concert, TONIGHT, Thursday, Dec. 6, will be held at Calumet United Methodist Church. At this concert, Noteworthy will be joined by the Lake Linden-Hubbell High School Choir, under the direction of Sara Perfetti, singing a variety of seasonal tunes ranging from "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" to the gentle ballad "Not that Far from Bethlehem."

The second concert, on Thursday, Dec. 13, will be held at Church of the Resurrection in Hancock. This is a chance to enjoy Perfetti’s strong soprano voice alone and in quartet with Marian McKellar, Ross Coltman and Peter Manderfield. The group will sing "Still, Still, Still," "In the Bleak Midwinter," "When A Child Is Born," and a medley of carols.

"We’re excited to be able to reach out to audiences in both the Houghton-Hancock  area and the north end," said director Joan Petrelius." This is music that everyone loves, and we’re also happy to help support organizations that do so much good in our community, especially during the holiday season."

At both venues, Noteworthy will perform a program ranging from the lighthearted "It’s a Marshmallow World" to devout songs of the Christmas story. Among them is a richly layered, four-part rendition of the modern classic "Mary Did You Know?" A few of the other holiday favorites on the program are "It's Beginning to Look at Lot Like Christmas," "Jingle Bell Rock," and the classic old English melody "I Saw Three Ships."

Also, the quartet JAMSession -- including Margaret Axford, Janet Dudenas, Allyson Jabusch and Sara Niemeyer -- will perform "A Time for Joy." And The Copper Notes quartet -- with Bonnie Horn, Shelba Marietta, Hollie Pierce and Marilyn Sager -- will sing the Beach Boys’ Christmas single "Little Saint Nick" and "Christmas Song."

There is no charge for admission. A free-will offering will be taken at both concerts. The Calumet concert will benefit the Sts. Martha and Mary Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, with the Hancock concert supporting the local St. Vincent de Paul organization. Both organizations are ecumenical and provide support to the area’s needy families.