The Malad Valley Community Chorus celebrated its landmark 50th year with a traditional Christmas concert on Sunday, December 15, 2024, in the 2nd Ward chapel. Ralph Bennett conducted the chorus with Maggie Lund as the accompanist.

The theme of the concert was “Chanson de Noel” or “Songs of Christmas.” After opening with “Sing We Now of Christmas,” the choir sang a medley with the French title “Chanson de Noel” that included “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “We Sing in Celebration,” and “He is Born.”

With Kamryn Bennett as the cello soloist, the chorus sang “Winter Carol,” followed by “Winter Night Manger.” A novelty song made famous by David Archuleta, “The Cat and the Mouse Carol,” was followed by “Sleigh Ride” with David Harris playing the bells. “Somewhere in My Memory,” composed by John Williams for the movie “Home Alone,” featured Kamryn on cello.

The tenors and basses sang the German carol “Still, Still, Still,” and the sopranos and altos sang “When Mary Sang Her Lullaby.”

Past members of the chorus were invited to join in singing “The Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “The Messiah.”  Louis Dredge then presented gift cards to Ralph Bennett and Maggie Lund.  He gave a short history of the chorus, noting that he and Ralph Bennett were in the original chorus 50 years ago. He thanked long-time chorus accompanists Myra Jean John and Helen Ward for their service and told about appearances the chorus had made at the Inauguration of Idaho Governor John V. Evans, at all the tabernacles in the region, in Washington, DC, and even on a trip to Russia.  He encouraged people who loved to sing, especially if they had formerly sung in the chorus, to join the chorus as it begins its next 50 years.

The chorus then sang “A Manger Filled with Love,” accompanied by Kamryn on cello, followed by “Bethlehem Morning,” with words by Kirby Shaw set to the tune of “Morning Has Broken” with Laurie Richins as the flute soloist. The English carols “Here We Come A-Caroling” and “Angels’ Carol” by John Rutter were sung just before the traditional concluding number, “Christmas Love.”