By Les Schroader, For the Tribune

Forty-four artists walked to the front of the Methodist Church and took their places on the risers. The pitch pipe key was given and the choral group, with a double forte’, began singing “Hodie Christus Natus, Est” to the very appreciative audience in the filled church sanctuary. The unaccompanied choral group started the Christmas Concert with the early Renaissance number based on a Latin sacred text designed to be performed in the Roman Catholic service.

Similar to Sweelnick’s “Hodie Christus Natus Est” was the second number in the program, “0 Magnum Mysterium” which was sung according to the written text of composer Tomas. Luis de Victoria. Victoria lived at approximately the same period of time as the man from Netherlands, but, Victoria was known as the greatest Spanish composer of the second half of the 16thcentury. That number evoked the truth of the Christmas season.

For those in the audience that remembered the Robert Shaw Chorale, The English carol, “My Dancing Day,” brought back the rich blends of voices for which Shaw is remembered. He would have been very proud to hear the rich blends of the group.

“Once in Royal David’s City,” another English tune, began with the sopranos in one voice. The altos were added and then groups of men. lnte~ected their voices. Each section and division of sections shared their talents as they responded to each other as if answering a question. There followed a gentle blending of voices as the entire choral group, with rich drama and with all voices blending into a gentle, soft blend to a finale.

Not only did most members of the group play an instrument(s) but all have had voice lessons and some are arranging and composing music. This list includes Abbie Betinis, alto, Jocelyn Hagen, alto, Joshua Shank, bass and Matthew Culloton, artisitic director and conductor.

The flute has long been known to go well with a voice or voices. Linda Chatterton, flutist, added to the beauty of Abbie Betinis’ World Premiere Performance of “To The Evening Star” and to the “Wexford Carol”, (Irish Carol) and to “Ding Dong Merrily on High”. (A French Carol) Miss

Chatterton showed her mastery of the flute through her playing of arpeggios, obligatos and descants as she embellished the singing and the song.

Matthew Culloton was a member of the Dale Warland Singers and artistic advisor. This is now his position with The Singers.

In addition, he works with music groups in Hopkins High School, Rochester, Chanson, the Minnesota All-State Choirs, numerous high school choirs and the list goes on. It includes the co-editing with twin brother Michael, “The Matthew and Michael Culloton Choral Series ” with Santa Barbara Music Publishing.

“0 Little Town of Bethlehem,” not the usual tune but the English tune, was arranged by Culloton and sang by the choral group. The perfect blend of 22 voices of the men was ideal for the two soprano soloists.

One of the audience participants said, “When I am listening to the music, I think of it as a painting at which I am looking.” This was particularly evident with the motets that tell the Christmas story from the mystery of the coming Baby Jesus to the announcement of His birth. Tranquil “colors” can represent the shepherds’ watch at night. This might be broken up with large patches of bright colors in juxtaposition. Later, the painting is filled with garish colors of dissonances that melt into a gentle, pastoral scene.

After the French Carol, “Ding Dong Merrily on High,&8221; the choral group presented themselves in the center and side aisles and the church filled audience was asked to sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” with them. After which the lingering applause for The Singers brought to the capacity audience, an encore of “Away In The Manger” which was the perfect ending to a concert of Christmas music.