The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir presented its 43rd annual Christmas Concert (See photos) last evening at St. Augustine’s Church. Choir Director Richard Molholsky and Assistant Director Jennette Woodruff conducted the fifty-three member choir and string orchestra. The evening began with audience participation in singing the traditional “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and concluded with “Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing.” While all the songs the choir sang were beautiful Richard Mulholsky’s favorite “New Year” and Jeanette Woodruff’s favorite “Prayer of the Children” thrilled the audience. The choir’s A Capella rendition of “Prayer of the Children” sent shivers down this writer’s spine.

Rev. Robert Svenson, Pastor of the Peru Community Church, welcomed everyone to the concert and Rev. Alan Shnob, Pastor of St. Augustine’s Church, delivered a Christmas message stressing the joyous anticipation of the Advent and Christmas Season. The song “Mary and Elizabeth” featured soloists Cherie LaDuke and Carla Brassard.

If you missed the concert Saturday evening, it will be presented tonight in Keeseville at St. John the Baptist Church beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Choir members are Krissie Bast, Stacy Bobbie, Julie Burdo, Jackie Chauvin, Vida Clark, Karen Dixon, Lynn Frenia, Donna Gengenbach, Sally Kokes, Cherie LaDuke, Maeghan McDonald, Patty Murphy, Susan Peryea, Whitney Robarge, Roxanne Rock, Martha Santana, Mallory Valk, Kelly Van Alstrine, Amy Albert, Carla Brassard, Virginia Derrick, Beth Dubay, Mary Ann Flora, Margaret Karkoski, Elaine Langdon, Catherine McCormick, Grace Novelli, Carolyn Pal, Beth Rule, Judy Rule, Marcia Russell, Sandy Senecal, Jann Shambo, Beth Sprague, Beth Wilson, Mark Caron, Ron Goddeau, Elijah MacNeil, Joel Mitchell, Michael Peden, Heath Powers, Tom Powers, Tim Rabideau, Matt Bosley, Ed Felio, Clark Forster, Tom McFadden, Chris Mitchell, Wilfred Patnode Jr., and Daniel Rose.

Orchestra members are Carl Kokes, Anna Battagelli, Daniel Dohman, Jeris French, Casey Ann Dean, Emily Allen, Kama Prelwitz, Laurel Rule, and David Spaulding. Organist is Steve Woodruff and concert accompanist is Carol Bachand.