One of Iolas oldest holiday traditions returns Dec. 9.
Iolas Christmas Vespers, a choir consisting of several area vocalists, will perform a medley of Christmas songs at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Wesley United Methodist Church.
The singers have been rehearsing for the concert since late September.
Over 62 years ago, members of the Iola Music Club started the Iola Christmas Vespers as a musical gift to the community. Now a local tradition, with concerts held on a Sunday afternoon in early December, singers, instrumentalists and directors volunteer their rehearsal time to provide the holiday concert in the sanctuary of one of the local churches. Some years a pipe organ, bell choir or instrumental ensemble may be featured. This year, Wesley, with its fine pipe organ, hosts the event.
When the music club dissolved in 2002, the board members of the Southeast Kansas Christian Artist Series (SEKCAS) were asked to sponsor Iola Christmas Vespers and have done so ever since with the assistance of several community volunteers. SEKCAS, a local not-for-profit organization, was formed in 1999 in an effort to bring to the area professional Christian musical performers.
This year, Jan Knewtson is directing the choir again, Jan Kershner is the pianist, and Kathleen McCollam is the organist. The intermission will be filled talented young people from Allen College, along with Stephen Gilpin who will play the bagpipes.
