Children's choruses celebrate holiday season in December concerts

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Youth Chorus and the Children’s Chorus of Rio Rancho are joining forces to host their winter concert, “Warming the Heart and Home,” at 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8 at 841 Saratoga Drive NE.

Youth singers ages 8-18 will perform holiday classics, folk tunes and unique pieces to celebrate the holiday season. The choruses are under the direction of Michelle Zetterholm and fall under the umbrella of Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads, and nonprofit dedicated to bringing arts to the community. The music, featuring pieces such as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” “Amid the Falling Snow,” “Lights for Hanukkah” and “Coldsnap,” will be accompanied by a small ensemble of local musicians, and Jared Mills will provide translation in American Sign Language.

In spirit of the holiday season, the choirs will continue their tradition of collecting items for a local nonprofit. At the December performance, they will be collecting toiletries for CASA Partners 4NMKids. Attendees are encouraged to bring items to be donated to children in foster care.

Ticekts are $15-$20 and are available at rr-cc.org with proceeds benefitting RRCC’s local music programs and scholarships for children pursuing music.

The choruses are open to singers of all backgrounds in third through 12th grades; no auditions are required. An advanced chorus, Encore, is also available for more experienced singers.