SHAMOKIN - The Cecilian Club's November meeting was held at the Welsh Congregational Church of Christ. Barbara Silliman, president, presided over the business meeting. This year's annual holiday dinner will be held at the Wayside Inn on Monday, Dec. 12. For the past several years, there has been a Chinese auction to benefit the scholarship fund held in conjunction with the dinner. The items usually put up for auction are being used this year for another event to benefit flood victims. This year, members will be asked to consider making donations directly to the scholarship fund.
Members will be caroling at Shamokin Area Community Hospital on Monday, Dec. 19. Other upcoming events include the Choraliers concert at the arts center at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4, and the Community Spirit concert at the Holy Rosary Church in Elysburg also at 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Members and the public are encouraged to support these two events.
After the business meeting, the group sang the hymn, "When in Our Music God Is Glorified," by Charles V. Stanford, words by Fred Pratt Green. Philip Maue accompanied on the organ. Marily Stasney presented an inspirational reading entitled "Everyday Mercies," by Pamela Kennedy. This article from Ideals magazine discussed Thanksgiving traditions from the first with the Pilgrims and Indians to the present day.
The evening's program followed with the theme "Americana." For the opening number, Maue played an organ solo, "Concert Variations on The Star-Spangled Benner," arranged by Buck. The audience was invited to sing along on the final variation. This impressive performance received a standing ovation.
Next was Charlene Pell's vocal solo, "I Wonder as I Wander," by Niles. Pell was accompanied by Bonny Klinger. Phyllis Bressler followed with Gershwin's "Prelude No. 2," a piano solo. An ensemble composed of Carol Ellis, Grace Stank, Silliman, Stasney, Kathi Christ and Carolyn Weaver sang "Swanee," by Gershwin with accompaniment by Mary Anne Stump. This was followed by a piano duet, as Weaver and Nan Weller played an arrangement of "Turkey in the Straw," an American folk dance. Rob Ensinger then sang "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor," by Berlin. He was accompanied by Bonny Klinger. Margaret Morris, Grethel Vinup, and Martha Lynch, accompanied by Klinger, sang "American Folk Trilogy," arranged by Lojeski.
A wind ensemble comprised of Krista Breeding, Ensinger, Maxine Harvey, Klinger, Mary Anne Miller, Silliman, Stump and Weller played a Moffit arrangement of Sousa's "Stars and Striped Forever."
The program ended with the entire club singing Berlin's "God Bless America," directed by Weller and accompanied by Irvin Liachowitz.
The next regular meeting will be Feb. 13 at the First United Methodist Church.