Hiram – One hundred years ago—1914, the opening year of WWI—in the war zone near Ypres, Belgium, there came a phenomenon known later as the “Christmas Eve Truce”. Troops all along the line of combat, on both the German and the Allied(British & French) sides, soldiers of both armies, lay down their weapons, lit candles, sang familiar carols, even exchanged small gifts, acknowledging the birth of the Prince of Peace in the midst of a terrible war. “No Man’s Land”, despite the disapproval of the higher levels of command , became, for fleeting moments, a place of brotherhood as voices were raised—English & German—recalling that Silent Night.
On Friday, December 12, the Hiram Men’s Chorus, directed by Jose Gotera, the Hiram Women’s Chorus, directed by Damaris Peters Pike, and the Hiram Community Chorus will present a musical program of seasonal and Christmas favorites—“Silent Night” in both English and German—at 7:30 p.m. in the Hiram Christian Church (corner of St. Rte 82 , St. Rte. 305 and St. Rte 700), free and open to the public.
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, ”Lo,How a Rose E’er Blooming”, ”Salvation Is Created”, and “The First Noel/Pachelbel’s Canon” will be the numbers featuring the men’s voices. “Oh, Lord, What a Morning”, “Stars Are for Those Who Lift Their Eyes”, “There Is Faint Music” and “Winter Wonderland” will be showcased by the women’s chorus. Together, their grand sound will be raised for “Ezekiel Saw de Wheel”, “Goin’Home”, “Mary Had A Baby”, “Sussex Carol”, “La Nanita Nana”, and “Make Our Garden Grow”. “A Merry Christmas” will be the grande finale, sending all out into the night with the warmth and good cheer making spirits bright.
Music for a Stille Nacht…Heilige Nacht.
