(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Twenty-nine Ketchikan Christmases have come and gone since the very first year Clover Pass Community Church hosted the “The Singing Christmas Tree”. Since that time, the community at Clover Pass has worked to make each year’s presentation something the community looks forward to with anticipation. From the giant choir-filled Christmas tree to the starry sky, from a wintery wonderland to a life-sized nativity, each year’s set is painstakingly designed to bring the audience to special place in Christmas-time.

According to information provided by Adult Choir Director Rob Holston, over the past 30 years nearly 1,000 community members have been involved with the production of the singing tree.  Holston said the tree usually contains 40 to 50 adult singers and the children’s choir adds another 15 to 20 voices. He said there is also a great deal of volunteer power that goes into the creation of the set design, construction, erection of the tree, table decorations, lighting, and sound -- and the delicious food and drinks.

A Singing Christmas Tree from the past...
Photograph courtesy Rob Holston

This year’s 30th Annual Singing Christmas Tree presentation features a Creek Street set intended to capture Ketchikan’s unique Christmas spirit.

Totally new this year is a program that features traditional Christmas carols sung mostly a’ccapella in original four-part harmony.  Director Rob Holston will be conducting time tested classics such as, O Little Town of Bethlehem, written in 1868; the 1871 version of a much older carol, The Fist Nowell and the 1840 Felix Mendelssohn version of a 1739 carol known as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.  The Children’s Choir is under the direction of Jodi Albertson.  The narration is delivered by Tim Livingston and the set designer and technical director is Mike Cooke.

Toward that end, the choir will perform classic Christmas carols such as “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Joy to the World”. As always, the presentation will feature a special Christmas message. This year’s theme is: He Is The One, Do You Know Him? 

Clover Pass Community Church invites you to be their guest this year, offering free tickets for the performances. Five performances are being offered; Friday, December 9 at 7:00 and 8:30 p.m.; Saturday December 10 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Seating is limited, so it is encouraged that you get your tickets early at Tongass Business Center, Sears, or Simply Bella.

The program will take place in the Clover Pass Church sanctuary with the audience seated comfortably around tables in an informal family fashion with cookies and hot cider delivered to your table. 

As a special treat, a tasty Christmas Tea will be served one hour prior to each performance in the Little Red Church on a donation basis. Come early for the performance and stop in for a cup of tea and scones served with fresh cream and jam. You can walk down memory lane by viewing old photographs of singing trees from many of the years past.

So as not to miss this annual community event, get your tickets early for the 30th annual presentation of the Singing Christmas Tree. This Ketchikan tradition is sure to please every Christmas-loving spirit - in Ketchikan style. You can even wear your Xtra Tuffs if that helps you get into the spirit!

The Clover Pass Community Church is located at the corner of North Tongass Highway and North Point Higgins Road. 

Edited by Mary Kauffman

Sources of News: 

Rob Holston

Clover Pass Church

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