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Jackson Hole News and Guide
Chorale revisits roots with
40th Christmas concert
By Richard Anderson 
Nov 30, 2022

You have to go back quite a few years to find a Christmas that did not include the Jackson Hole Chorale. In fact, the very first performance given by the all-volunteer vocal group was a holiday program on Dec. 21, 1982, in the old Jackson Hole High School on the site of the current Center for the Arts.
Founding director Jim Jirak — then a music teacher at the high school, now a professor in the music department of Boise State University — led 25 members in Randall Thomson’s “Alleluia,” Gustav Holst’s “Christmas Day,” Martin Shaw’s arrangement of the 1591 “Coventry Carol,” two segments from Handel’s “Messiah” and other works.

“We did an impressive list of really challenging pieces,” said chorale board President Juline Christofferson, a member of the group since 1985 who has been working on compiling a history of the storied community ensemble. The JH Chorale upholds its legacy on Sunday with this year’s 40th anniversary
Christmas concert. Ron Fabry, an accomplished organist, the music director at St. John’s Episcopal Church and the choir’s fifth conductor, will lead a program of seasonal songs, from popular favorites like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to the 15th-century hymn “Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming,” a favorite of the chorale’s second director, Bob Partridge, who led the group for 20 years from 1983 to 2003, and who died in 2019. “We’re picking from all the years we’ve done before,” said Fabry, who has headed the group since 2014. In between him and Partridge the chorale was led by Al Young (2003- 13) and Bill Hungate (2013-14). Among the pieces making their reprise this year is the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah,” but a jazzy version of “Deck the Halls” and a “very modern version of ‘It Came Upon a Midnight Clear’” will also be featured, Fabry said. “Tradition and contemporary stuff … a nice mix.” Also making a return appearance is Jirak, who will conduct two pieces and will also
share the risers with many an old friend, like bass Jesse O’Connor, who has been a member since that first performance and whose wife, Karen, and son, Liam, have since joined the group. Jackson Hole Brass Quintet and string players from the Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra also will return to accompany the singers on a number of works, as they have many times over the decades.

The chorale’s founding statement of purpose is to provide “opportunities for Teton County residents to participate in musical performances, to enjoyment of making music with other people, to transfer the love of music to the public.” While some chorale experience is preferred, membership is open to all Teton County residents, and over the years the ranks have included teens to seniors, ski bums to professionals. In addition to providing music for community event, the chorale has given some priceless experiences to members, including trips to sing in New York City’s Carnegie Hall and even Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Sunday’s performance starts at 4 p.m. A “great reception” will follow, Fabry said, with hors d’oeuvres, cocoa, wine and treats. Also, the Presbyterian Church will have on display a number of nativity scenes, or creches, for guests to tour.

Letter to Editor, Jackson Hole News and Guide December 7, 2022

Vital chorale

This past Sunday I was honored to participate in the Jackson Hole Chorale’s 40th Annual Christmas Concert. The program, led by Ron Fabry, was the perfect duration, with exciting opening and closing numbers that were wrapped around a thoughtful variety of pieces; both fun and reflective. The Chorale was assisted by the Jackson Hole Brass Quintet, the Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, and featured pianist, Natalia Van Genderen. Extra chairs were brought in for the capacity audience, many of whom stayed and visited with one another long after the resounding finale. It is gratifying to know the Jackson Hole Chorale is a vital and welcoming performing arts group, with an efficient and hard-working board, singing for the community for 40 years!

Jim Jirak

Boise, Idaho

12/5/2019  – Buckrail – Jackson Hole, news

Free Christmas concert from Jackson Hole Chorale

JACKSON, Wyo. – Sunday, December 8 audiences at The Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole will enjoy a memorable holiday concert presented by Teton County’s Community Choir, Jackson Hole Chorale.

The 4 p.m. performance entitled “The Work of Christmas … to Make Music from the Heart” is FREE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and features sing-along seasonal favorites to delight all ages. Chorale choir members are also preparing freshly baked cookies and desserts for all to enjoy with refreshments after the concert.

“We are proud to perform this concert that consists of a variety of fun and uplifting selections sung by our choir of over forty-five members,” said Choir Director, Ron Fabry.

The evening’s event is supported in part by grants from the Wyoming Arts Council, through funding from the Wyoming State Legislature and National Endowment for the Arts, Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, the Center of Wonder – Arts for All and the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.

For more information visit http://jacksonholechorale.org/.

December 4, 2019
Jackson Hole News & Guide

By Mariel Wilson

Get ready to sing in the holiday season

The annual Jackson Hole Chorale’s  winter  concert  kicks  off at  4 p.m.  Sunday  at  the  Presbyterian  Church of Jackson Hole. This year’s beloved annual concert, “The Work of Christmas … to Make Music from the Heart,” is free to all, promising an afternoon of holiday cheer.

Nearly 40 years old, the Jackson Hole Chorale is an institution in Jackson. The winter concert serves as one of its two main annual events and seems to be a crowd favorite, attracting about 580 people in 2018, according to the group. Complete with singalongs and  baked goods hand made by Chorale members, the performance is a quintessential holiday event.

The winter concert is a community favorite, as well as a favorite for Chorale members. For this year’s show about 45 members will perform. To them, the concert represents the values that the Chorale upholds year-round: community and inclusion.

Annette Osnos joined 3 years ago when she moved to Jackson. She has since found a sense of home in the group.

“Starting as a stranger in this community, I felt welcomed from the get-go in the Chorale,” Osnos said. “There really is a very good bonding feeling being in the group.”

Choir Manager Alice Widdess echoed Osnos’ feeling when she spoke about the group’s diversity.

“The members are from all walks of life. From students to mechanics, to retirees, to wealthy people to people like me who have 5 jobs,” Widdess said. “Your goal is to blend together and be powerful together.”

In recent years the chorale has worked to bring that sense of acceptance to its audience. By moving toward more contemporary holiday classics, the chorale allows the audience to join in on the fun and sing along.

“We’ve done some more serious music in the past, but an audience wants to have fun,”Widdess said.”lt’s been upbeat before” but “it’s really going to be fun this year.”

Both Widdess and Osnos are looking forward to a fan favorite, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” which will be accompanied by the Jackson Hole Brass Quintet. Another anticipated contemporary classic featured this year is a fast-paced version of “Jingle Bells.”

According to Widdess the event is much more than a concert – Thee afternoon will also include an exhibit of personal and family Christmas nativity sets from Jackson community members. That portion of the event will be provided by Our Common Ground, a Jackson interdenominational organization that promotes friendship and community service.

Just as the Chorale works to harmonize and work as one, it hopes this event will serve as an opportunity for people from all parts of the community to come together for music and celebration. Osnos said that sense of community is what the Chorale does best.

“What I really love is the inclusion of any and all.”

Contact Mariel Wilson via 732-7062 or entertainment@jhnewsandguide.com.

November 28, 2018
Jackson Hole News & Guide

Hear the ‘Colors of Christmas’ this weekend

At 4 p.m. Sunday the Jackson Hole Chorale will host its annual Christmas concert.

While you may not get the chance to roast chestnuts on an open fire this holiday season, attending the Jackson Hole Chorale’s Christmas concert this weekend will offer the chance to hear some Yuletide carols sung by a choir.

At 4 p.m. Sunday the chorale will host its annual free Christmas concert at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church.

The group will sing a variety of classic Christmas carols, including “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” “Deck the Halls” and “O’ Holy Night,” among others. They’ll also regale attendees with some not-so-well-known songs, including the concert’s namesake: “The Colors of Christmas.”

“It’s all about the different shadings or colors of Christmas and how that’s expressed in music,” said Ron Fabry, the chorale director.

The Jackson Hole Brass Quintet will also perform Sunday, accompanying the chorale for a few songs as well as playing some instrumental pieces on its own, including a medley of songs from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”

In the last 15 minutes of the hourlong performance, audience members will have the chance to do some carol singing themselves.

“They’ll get to sing along and have a little bit of fun with the chorale,” Fabry said.

The group Our Common Ground will have nativity scenes on display at the church for people to enjoy before and after the concert.

The tradition is a fun event for the community, Fabry said.

The Jackson Hole Chorale was founded in 1983 to offer the community the opportunity to practice and perform their choral skills, according to the group’s mission statement. The group includes 30 to 40 members who perform three concerts each year.

The following weekend, on Dec. 9, the chorale will host its second annual Messiah Sing-Along, a free concert also held at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. The Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra will offer accompaniment.

While still relatively new, the chorale hopes to build up the Messiah Sing-Along to include choirs from communities around the state and region, said Alice Widdess, the Jackson Hole Chorale choir manager.

December 2, 2015
Stepping Out, Jackson Hole News & Guide

Chorale to perform ‘Gloria’ and other holiday music

Choir

The Jackson Hole Chorale will perform Sunday at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, sang the angels to the shepherds when Christ was born.

Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” which will be performed at the Jackson Hole Chorale’s 33rd annual holiday concert, echoes that message.

The Jackson Hole Chorale, in collaboration with the Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra and the Jackson Hole Brass Quintet, will perform a free concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. Featuring the performance of “Gloria” and other holiday classics, the concert will include refreshments, cookies and a Christmas carol sing-along. Read More >

July 15, 2015
Stepping Out, Jackson Hole News & Guide

Choral offers summer recital

Following a successful spring recital, the Jackson Hole Chorale offers an encore performance tonight.

The kaleidoscopic American music of the spring show will ring out for a second time at 7 p.m. today in Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church.

From spirituals to humorous numbers and selections from “West Side Story,” the program, board President Amy Robinson noted, will be nearly identical to the spring show. Cellist Emily Robinson, who played the spring show, will return.

According to Amy Robinson, director Ron Fabry was so enthused with the spring turnout that he wanted to see if a summer audience was interested.

Admission is free.

Newspaper Articles

December 7, 2015
Jackson Hole News & Guide

NewsGuide
Ron Fabry conducts the Jackson Hole Chorale on Sunday afternoon during its Christmas concert at Our Lady of the Mountains Roman Catholic Church. Held in tandem with a creche display, it drew nearly 300 people.

July 15, 2015
Stepping Out, Jackson Hole News & Guide

Choral offers summer recital

Following a successful spring recital, the Jackson Hole Chorale offers an encore performance tonight.

The kaleidoscopic American music of the spring show will ring out for a second time at 7 p.m. today in Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church.

From spirituals to humorous numbers and selections from “West Side Story,” the program, board President Amy Robinson noted, will be nearly identical to the spring show. Cellist Emily Robinson, who played the spring show, will return.

According to Amy Robinson, director Ron Fabry was so enthused with the spring turnout that he wanted to see if a summer audience was interested.

Admission is free.