Chorus to celebrate final ‘Bristol Christmas’

A Christmas tradition in Bristol for 36 years will be coming to an end this year— at least in its current form — but spectators have one last chance to experience the music of the Bristol County Chorus.

Joan Roth has been organizing, directing and conducting the chorus’ annual Christmas show since 1981. Now 90 years old, Ms. Roth has decided to hang up the baton after producing one last Christmas show on Sunday Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church.

“I decided to get out while I can still walk,” the very energetic, and very mobile, Ms. Roth said. “I’m 90. I have less and less energy every day. Everything is harder. This is the last concert of this format. I’m hoping someone else will take over the chorus.”

Ms. Roth started the group while she was teaching music at Roger Williams University in the early 1980s. She has led the group of largely amateur musicians from all around the East Bay and southeastern Massachusetts through 35 Christmas concerts, in many cases teaching complicated pieces by Heyden or Mozart, note by note. 

“They love to sing and appreciate good music and are willing to work hard,” Ms. Roth said. “Some aren’t musicians. Some can’t read music. But that’s OK. There needs to be a place for people without a Ph.D in music.”

The singers are backed up by those with such advanced degrees, however. Ms. Roth hires a professional 40-piece orchestra to provide the accompaniment for the 40-member chorus. “They sound just like the Pops,” Ms. Roth said.

The show will feature classical Christmas pieces, along with more modern, popular Christmas hits, and an audience sing-along of the most well-known Christmas songs like “Sleigh Bells Ring” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” Dedicated to former RWU President William Resini, the Roger Williams University chorus will join the community singers for part of the show.

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A Bristol Christmas is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s, 330 Wood St. Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 in advance. They can be bought at Paper, Packaging & Panache on Hope Street, the George Hail Library, 530 Main St., Warren, or through the group’s Facebook page. Tickets are already selling fast, and only 700 seats are available at the church for the show.