Press Release by Cindy Hodel
Music has always been a large part of Christmas festivities, whether you sing carols, attend a concert, play music in your car, or listen as you wrap gifts, bake cookies or decorate the tree. The same is true of the Christmas in Montrose events the first weekend of December. The grand finale on Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 PM will be a concert of festive selections presented by the Montrose Community Chorale. The performance will be held at the Presbyterian Church at 367 Church Street in Montrose.
Why are we talking about Christmas now? Everyone knows that for an event like Christmas in Montrose to happen it takes months of preparation and work. And this is true of any musical performance. So now is the time to get started and join the choral. Practices for this musical presentation will begin on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:00 PM at the Presbyterian Church at 367 Church Street in Montrose. No age limit young and old and no preregistration is required. Everyone is welcome to come, even high school students, and not only enjoy the final presentation but the practices every Tuesday evening. Can’t make every practice? Not a problem. Come when you can and enjoy singing with the group.
The Montrose Community Chorale grew out the Church Street Singers and the Harmony Men, both of which were local ensembles from years past. Originally, the Chorale practiced and performed under the direction of Dave Andre at the Montrose Area High School and later utilized the Methodist Church. They now rehearse and perform at the Presbyterian Church in Montrose. Since 2014, Montrose elementary music teacher Thomas Welch has directed the group, which meets weekly from September until the December performance. Accompanists through the years have included Richard Van Auken, Mary Ann DeWitt, Sarah Bertsch, Linda Small, and Martha Denkenberger. Kristen Burkhart, elementary music teacher and choral director at Blue Ridge Elementary, currently serves as accompanist.
A free will offering will be taken during the concert to defray the cost of music and other expenses; additional funds raised are given to organizations who make Christmas special for the less fortunate in the community.
Plan to enjoy some or all the Christmas in Montrose events from the Friday night Parade of Lights and Take a Bite Out of Christmas tours to the array of events from 9:00 to 3:00 on Saturday. Then you can be part of the grand finale concert on Sunday. There is something for everyone, including horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, crafts, holiday shopping, a variety of seasonal foods, a petting zoo, kangaroos, free s’more stations, craft sales and bake sales at churches, and vendors on the Village Green.
Pictured is the Montrose Community Chorale during one of the rehearsals at the Presbyterian Church in Montrose for the December 2025 concert. Director Tom Welch, music teacher in the Montrose Area School District, and accompanist Kristen Burkhart, elementary music teacher at Blue Ridge, lead the weekly practices. Rehearsals for this year’s chorale begin on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:00 PM and are open to anyone interested in singing in the group. The concert will be on Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 PM at the Presbyterian Church in Montrose. A freewill offering will be collected at the concert and funds donated to outreach organizations who serve those in need in the Montrose area.