PEA RIDGE — Multiple musical events will be happening all over the city in the coming weeks.
One of those is the drama, “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” The production will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
12, in the sanctuary at Bella Vista Community Church. The event is free and open to the public.
Mike Walkup, director of music at the church, said it is an opera about a widowed mother and her crippled son, Amahl, who welcome three magi and shepherds into their home. After undergoing turmoil, a Christmas miracle occurs for Amahl.
The program is about 45 minutes long and very accessible, so families and young children will enjoy it and understand what is happening, Walkup said. It is a well-written story everyone can likely relate to, he added.
Walkup feels it sets up the Christmas season well and is a feel-good event.
“I mean, everybody likes a Christmas miracle,” he said.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” features a couple up-andcoming singers from northwest Arkansas. Amahl will be played by Leanne Scaggs of Springdale, and Walkup’s daughter, Jess Walkup of Bella Vista, will portray Amahl’s mother, he said.
Scaggs sings soprano, a higher vocal range, while Jess Walkup is in the lower range of alto. Mike Walkup said they sing a pretty duet during the middleof the opera, and their voices ÿt together well.
Another event is a musical called “A Christmas Invitation ... Come Just As You Are,” which will be performed at 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 in the worship center at Bella Vista Christian Church.
There is no cost to attend.
The musical is a moving worship experience that tells the story of Jesus Christ’s birth, said Linda White, pastoral assistant at the church.
The program is presented by the church’s Celebration Singers who are accompanied by an orchestra of musicians from area symphonies, she said. People in a tableau will portray the story using still drama while the choir is singing. There will also be readers telling the story during the production, White said.
The musical includes familiar holiday songs and new, powerful compositions. The songs are very upbeat, White said. A few songs people may recognize are “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “O Holy Night,” she said.
“I think it’s just always inspiring at Christmas to hear good Christmas music. You only get to hear it once a year,” she said.
An ensemble of elementaryschool-aged girls will also participate by singing one number in the production, she said.
After the musical, a holiday reception will be held in the church’s atrium.
If you’re in the mood for a little jazz, check out the Christmascantata, “We Have Seen Him,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. Pulitzer Prize nominee Dan Knight wrote the jazz piece speciÿcally for the church, and Saturday’s performance will be the world premiere.
Knight will play piano for the program, and he will be joined by drummer Steve Wilkes of Fayetteville, bassist Mike Johnson of Siloam Springs and horn player Al Gibson of Fayetteville.
For more information on the cantata, phone the church at 855-1158.
If you are interested in giving the gift of music, buy tickets to see the New Christy Minstrels at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School.
The world-famous classic American folk ensemble made its national television debut on “The Andy Williams Show” more than 44 years ago, said Pauline Clark of Live on Stage in NWA, which is sponsoring the concert.
The group’s accomplishments include Grammy awards, gold records and entertaining atthe White House.
Other Bella Vista musical events include:
◊“A Christmas Miracle,” performed by music and drama members of Highlands Church, at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 10 a.m.
Dec. 12. The church is located at 371 Glasgow Road. Call 855-2277 for more information.
◊String of Pearls, northwest Arkansas’ ÿrst harp ensemble, in concert at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at St.
Bernard Catholic Church, 1 St.
Bernard Lane. Tickets are $7. Call the o◊ce at 855-9069.
◊The adult choir at Village Baptist Church presenting theChristmas musical, “O Holy Night,” at 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at the church, 39 Glasgow Road. Call 855-7775.
◊Family Christmas caroling at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Highlands Church. Interested participants should meet in the church dining room for one quick rehearsal before heading out.
After caroling, they will return to the church to ÿnish the evening with cocoa and cookies; and
◊Perfect Harmony Women’s Barbershop Chorus performing a free Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Mildred B.
Cooper Memorial Chapel.
Community, Pages 6 on 12/08/2010