Middleport Community Choir, Bell Tones putting on Christmas concert this Saturday

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Ric Jones, director of the Middleport Community Choir, and Debby Clark of Lockport, accompanist and director of the Bell Tones, share a light moment during a previous concert. They will again join their talents to present the annual Christmas concert at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Middleport United Methodist Church.

MIDDLEPORT – A Dickens Christmas will be the focus this season of the annual Christmas concert by the Middleport Community Choir and Middleport Bell Tones.

The concert is scheduled at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Middleport United Methodist Church, according to Ric Jones of Medina, director of the choir. Debby Clark directs the bell choir and is also accompanist for the choir.

“A Dickens Christmas” illustrates Scrooge’s transformation from a miserly old man to a compassionate benefactor, capturing the essence of redemption and the power of love and generosity, Jones explained. Each son will reflect the different scenes, characters and emotions of the story.

Some of the recognizable favorites will include “Carol of the Bells,” “Coventry Carol,” “Here we Come a-Caroling” and “What Child is This.” The audience will have the opportunity to join the choir in “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Selections will also include music that uses texts written by Charles Dickens.

“Our annual Christmas concert is one of our favorite concerts of the year, and certainly the most attended,” Jones said. “I chose this theme because I really wanted to play into the feel of a small-town Christmas. And who better to do it with than Charles Dickens. Middleport at Christmas is like a Hallmark movie. Throughout the village, there is a sense of community and comradery. The annual tree lighting is so much fun and this concert fits perfectly with that atmosphere.”

Refreshments will be offered after the concert and the audience is encouraged to stick around and enjoy some socializing, Jones said.

There is no admission charge for the concert, but a free-will offering will be taken. The Methodist Church is located at 9 Park Ave.

Funding for the concert is made possible through Arts Services Creative Impact Fund, thanks to a New York State Senate initiative supported by the NYS Legislature and the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.

At 6 p.m., the village of Middleport will have its annual tree lighting right outside the church on Park Avenue.