The Wessington Springs Community Choir filled the historic 1905 Opera House with music on Sunday, Dec. 14, as they presented the Christmas cantata, “A Child Is Born… All Is Well” during a Sunday afternoon performance.
The cantata, created by Sue C. Smith and Russell Mauldin and arranged and orchestrated by Mauldin, tells the story of Christ’s birth through a blend of narration, choral selections and familiar hymns, including O Holy Night, Go, Tell It on the Mountain and Angels We Have Heard on High. Narration was provided by Roger Dwyer, with a featured solo by Melissa Schimke.
The choir included sopranos Susan Arnott, Diane Fastnacht, Melissa Hoarty, Laura Kieser, Jan Krohmer, Katee Olinger, Tenley Olinger and Torree Olinger; second sopranos Peg Fagerhaug, Sandy Wenzel, Diane Winter and Eileen Woodruff; altos Lisa Edwards, Lois Feistner, Pam Hainy, Lila Hoffman, Amber Kolousek and Carol Scheel; tenors Gail Arnott, Mike Fastnacht, Pat Fastnacht, Brett Miller, Terry Scheel, Dale Schimke and Melissa Schimke; and basses Brian Amick, Lennis Fagerhaug, Blake Miller and Joel Sorben.
The choir was directed by Julie Fastnacht, with sound and lights by Zachary Kruse. The performance was presented by SACOTA and drew a warm response from the audience as the community gathered to celebrate the Christmas season through music.