Geneva church's annual Christmas Cantata Dec. 12 to feature selections from the Alfred Burt Carols
The United Methodist Church of Geneva invites the community to the Christmas Cantata on Sunday, Dec. 12.
The cantata will be performed at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at the church, 211 Hamilton St.
A tradition since 1985, this year's cantata features selections from the Alfred Burt Carols.
These include many holiday favorites including "Some Children See Him, Caroling, Caroling" and "Come, Dear Children."
The program features a 30-voice choir that will be accompanied by the Metropolis Oboe Quartet. This is a performance the whole family will enjoy.
The Cantata is conducted by Scott Stevenson, Director of Music Ministries and Michael Popplewell, Director of Choral Ministries.
For information, call (630) 232-7120 or visit GenevaUMC.org.
Follow the church on Facebook or Instagram at @UMCGeneva.
Music Director Scott Stevenson has been with UMC of Geneva for over 30 years. A well-known musician in the area, he frequently conducts the cantata, and has written six original cantatas over the years. Stevenson has also composed for Chicago's Old St. Patrick's Church's Deck the Hall and Siamsa na nGael concert at Symphony Center. He has played accordion for 20 years in the strange country group Dick Smith; with Electric Dirt at Simon's in Chicago; at the Hideout and other locations in Chicago; and recently with Robbie Fulks and Michael McDermott. He also has served as accompanist and composer-in-residence for St. Charles Singers.
Michael Popplewell has been director of choral ministries at the Geneva church since 2006 where he directs both children's and adult choirs. He graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo with a BA in vocal performance and received the Master of Music in Education from Ithaca College. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been employed at Elmwood Park School District 401 since 2002. He remains active in choral music in the Fox Valley, performing with St. Charles Singers in both a solo and chorister capacity, and serves as a guest clinician for area junior and senior high school singers.
The Metropolis Oboe Quartet has been performing in the Chicago area for two decades and includes the following musicians: Deb Stevenson, oboe and English horn; Katherine Hughes, violin; Rose Armbrust Griffin, viola; and Steven Houser, cello. Learn more at www.metropolisquartet.com.