Mission Viejo
“Sing Noel – Christmas Bells Are Ringing” is presented by The Mission Viejo California Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Choral Music is provided by three choirs; an adult choir directed by Catherine Tibbitts with Dawn Mosley, Ensemble, Accompanists – Julie Ann Ballard, piano and organ, Henry Gallart, Kathryn Espenschied flute and piccolo; a youth choir directed by Geoffrey Crisp and accompanist Henry Gallart and a children’s choir directed by Laurel Wicke and accompanist Mary Moorhead.
Principal Director, Catherine Tibbitts
Catherine Tibbitts graduated from BYU in 1973 with a degree in Piano Performance. While at BYU she received the departmental Piano Performance Award as a junior and as a senior received the award for Most Outstanding Musician. Ms. Tibbitts has lived in Orange County, California since 1973 where she is in constant demand as an accompanist. She has worked with many organizations, including Opera Pacific, BYU Oratorio Choir, Saddleback College Theater Department, Laguna Playhouse, and the Mission Viejo High School Choral Department. Ms. Tibbitts has musically directed “Unsinkable Molly Brown”, “Oklahoma”, “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, “110 in the Shade”, “Brigadoon”, and many other productions for both community theaters and the Mission Viejo California Stake of the LDS Church.
Ms. Tibbitts is a published composer of choral music, and is currently the full-time Staff Accompanist for the Saddleback College Music Department in Mission Viejo, California.
Opening Night Exceeds Expectations
Following the Children’s Choir was a men and women’s Ensemble. They performed two numbers “Good Christian Men Rejoice” and “Room in the Inn”. Singers in the Ensemble were Laura Camastro, Catherine Campbell, Erin Clarke, Geoffrey Crisp, Greg Doyle, Garrick Frost, Tiffany Grossen, Eric Olson, Michael Palmer, David Peterson, Lisa Rhodes, and Tamra Searle.
One of the special treats of the night was a solo “Mary, Did You Know?” by Laura Camastro. It was a tender lead into “The Holly and the Ivy”, by just the woman from the adult choir. The youth choir then entered the chapel and rocked the house with their rendition of “Holy Is the Newborn Child!” and a spicy version of “The First Noel”. The audience was then invited to stand and sing with all choirs “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful. James Brian remarked, “the entire chapel was electrified and I’m sure there were angels singing along with us!”
The men of the adult choir had their opportunity to wow the audience with their beautiful acapella, barbershop style “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”. The adult choir then performed a very intricate Catalonian Carol, called “Fum, Fum, Fum!
There was an instrumental number which was a nice interlude from the choir numbers performed by Julie Ann Ballard on the flute, Catherine Tibbitts on the piano and Rob Wood on the violin. Then the Christmas Story was read from Luke 2 by James White.
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David: To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” .
Kevin Odekirk sang a beautifully clear and emotional “O Holy Night” as the night was wrapping up and then the combined choirs sang “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”.
Don’t miss this opportunity tonight to hear this marvelous and well rehearsed Christmas program. And keep in mind when you are there listening to all this beautiful music, that these are your very talented friends and neighbors!
