The Smoky Valley Trebles, a community treble choir in Lindsborg, KS, will perform Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols December 2025.
The Smoky Valley Trebles is a Lindsborg based, non-auditioned*, community of treble (soprano and alto) singers from the Smoky Valley area. Music and folders will be provided, and singers will attend rehearsal faithfully in preparation for two performances in early December.
All rehearsals will be on Sunday afternoons in Pearson Chapel on the Bethany College campus beginning on Sunday, October 26.
Full Rehearsal & Performance Schedule:
Sunday, October 26
3-4:30pm at Pearson Chapel
Sunday, November 2
3-4:30pm at Pearson Chapel
Sunday, November 9
3-4:30pm at Pearson Chapel
Sunday, November 16
3-4:30pm at Pearson Chapel
Sunday, November 23
3-4:30pm at Pearson Chapel
Sunday, November 30
3-4:30pm at Pearson Chapel
Perfomances
Sunday, December 7 • 4pm [full “dress” run-through at 2pm] - Pearson Chapel with Jane Hyde, harp
Saturday, December 13 • Evening performance at Heritage Christmas in the Swedish Pavilion. This performance will be in conjunction with the Smoky Valley Men’s Choir. We will perform a slightly shortened version of the Britten (with piano accompaniment) and close the night in combination with the men’s chorus!
About the Work
Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28, composed in 1942, is a beloved choral work, scored for three-part treble chorus, solo voices, and harp.
There are 12 total movements in the work. The movements are brief, and the entire work, which includes a harp solo piece, is typically performed in about 25 minutes.
The work is deceptive in its simplicity, with several of the movements written as rounds or call-and-response pieces. This, along with the inclusion of a few solos sections, and a repeated processional and recessional, make it an ideal choice for a project based community choir like the Smoky Valley Trebles.
We will learn the chorus pieces quickly, giving us ample time to connect more deeply with the work for a moving and effective performance.
Here is a very nice performance of the work.
Other Details
*Experience
This is a non-auditioned, community based group. We welcome all singers, but acknowledge that previous choral experience will be vital to this project. If you have any questions about your participation with the group musically, please reach out to Russ at rware@mac.com to discuss. It’s also completely OK to just come and try it out! Come to the first rehearsal, see how it feels, and we can discuss after that.
Rehearsal Expectations
There are only 6 scheduled rehearsals in preparation for our performances in December, so every rehearsal is important! If you would like to sing with us but have concerns about the schedule, please email Russ at rware@mac.com. Full rehearsal attendance is desired, but good communication will be key for any exceptions to that expectation.
Performance Attire
Dress for both performances will be concert black (pants, skirts, dresses all fine), with a pop of blue and/or purple color (scarf, tie, etc….).
Connect!
If you are interested in joining us, or you have questions about the project, please let us know by filling out this form or sending an email to rware@mac.com.