Geneva church performs Christmas cantata with handbells and choir

Posted December 27, 2022 10:00 pm

Submitted by Al Benson

With a 40-voice choir, 10 handbell ringers and six instrumentalists, Geneva United Methodist Church performed the Christmas cantata "On Christmas Night" at 9 and 10 a.m. worship on Sunday, Dec. 18.

The 9 a.m. service featured a children's choir directed by Mike Popplewell.

Congregants gave the performance a standing ovation.

A 40-voice cantata choir performs "On Christmas Night" during Dec. 18 worship at Geneva United Methodist Church. Courtesy of Al Benson

Popplewell and Scott Stevenson, church music director, co-directed the cantata by Bob Chilcott, a choral scholar at University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, England.

Composed in 2010, the cantata features eight original settings of classic Christmas carols, including the fall of Adam, the promise of a child, the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus.

Stevenson said Sunday's performances were a first for Geneva UMC.

A chamber ensemble included Julie Spring, harp; Andy Cierny, percussion; William Phemister, organ; Susan Saylor, flute; and Deb Stevenson, oboe.

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