Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/422861
8 NOV. 26 - DEC. 2, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Since 1980, Snyder Memorial Baptist Church's Singing Christmas Tree has been a staple in Fayetteville holiday celebrations. It is truly magnificent to see and hear 250 singers, a hand-bell choir and a 40-piece orchestra celebrate the season with glorious music. This year is particularly exciting because there is a new director of music ministry in charge of the event. Richard Suggs is replacing Larry Dickens and bringing a fresh outlook to the long-standing tradition. While some changes will happen, Suggs said the Singing Christmas Tree is still the same event at its core. "It is the same structure, and a lot of the same faces but all the material is new. The first half primarily features the youth choir, which is followed by an intermission. The second half is mainly performed by the sanctuary choir. But there are a few pieces where the youth and sanctuary choirs perform together and those are a lot of fun," said Suggs. Recently moving to Fayetteville, this is the first year that Suggs has experienced the magic of the Singing Christmas Tree. There is, of course, pressure to continue the high standard of performance, but the outcome is assured. Suggs' dedication to, and excitement for, the event are unwavering. "I know it is a very popular holiday event here and I am excited to learn as much as I can about it. It is kind of fun and there is so much going on that is hard to choose one song or one section of the performance as a favorite," he said. "Every song in the performance is wonderful. I don't know which one to showcase. It is so hard to single out one or two songs when there are 19 different pieces of music and they are all great." For those who have made a holiday tradition of attending the Singing Christmas Tree, this year will look different. But the changes are refreshing and exciting. "All of the music is new this year. There are a lot of different elements including a dance element, which we have done in the past, but not to this extent. And like I mentioned before, all of the music is new. It is a whole new experience that I think the community will really enjoy," said Suggs, "There is also another choir that is participating in the tree this year — the contemporary worship New Way Choir. All of the pieces that are performed by the contemporary choir are accompanied by a full orchestra and rhythm section." The Singing Christmas Tree is a free event, but tickets are required. Tickets can be obtained at the church office at 701 Westmont Drive or by calling 484-3191. Tickets are honored until 20 minute before the show, after that viewers are admitted without tickets. Performances are Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Doors open one hour prior to the show. For more information, visit www.snydermbc.com/worship/singing-christmas-tree/. Singing Christmas Tree: A New Season, A New Sound BY ERINN CRIDER ERINN CRIDER, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.2284 www.CapeFearEye.com Dr. J. Wayne Riggins, Dr. Sheel Patel, Dr. Raz Penmatcha Dr. Cynthia Toth, Dr. Lejla Vajzovic, Dr. Shelby Stephenson Dr. Edward Kenshock, Jr., Dr. John Krempecki, Dr. Duy Lam For Appointment call Introducing Raz Penmatcha, M.D. (Eye Physician & Surgeon) Cataract Surgery & Premium IOL Implants LenSx Laser (bladeless) Custom Cataract Surgery Refractive Surgery (iLASIK, PRK) Glaucoma Surgery Oculoplastic Surgery Medical Retina 1726 Metro Medical Drive / 1629 Owen Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 For more information visit www.jlfay.org JUNIOR LEAGUE OF FAYETTEVILLE Women building better communities Interested in becoming a member of the Junior League of Fayetteville? You're invited to attend an informational evening with the League to learn about who we are and what we do in the community. Join us on December 8th from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Luigi's Restaurant. 2605 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303 910.323.5509 • www.jlfay.org ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COM- MENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910.484.6200. This year, Snyder Memorial Baptist Church is switching up the music for the Singing Christmas Tree.