[Photo credit: The Towne Singers Community Choir]
The 75-voice non-auditioned community choir will present “Making Spirits Bright” on December 7 at First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, featuring choreography and audience participation.
“Towne Singers, we’re always striving to give the community a really good mix of holiday fair, fun, and classic seasonal repertoire,” said Lance Merrill, the group’s conductor.
Their programming ranges from traditional sacred music to contemporary arrangements, including Hanukkah selections, demonstrating their commitment to diverse cultural representation in holiday music.
The performance represents a significant evolution for community choirs, as traditional classical music organizations seek new ways to maintain artistic relevance while preserving their musical heritage.
“The Towne Singers want to offer a real all encompassing fun show. It’s kind of built into the DNA from the beginning,” Merrill said. “We invite the children up while Santa comes and makes an entrance while we’re singing our carols.”
Founded in 1987 by Phyllis Winnaman, the Towne Singers has grown from its humble beginnings into an 80-member non-auditioned community chorus that serves as a cultural cornerstone in La Cañada Flintridge and surrounding communities.
Drawing members who travel up to 40 miles to participate, the choir performs a diverse repertoire spanning classical, Broadway, spirituals, gospel, folk, and patriotic music through two to three major concerts annually.
“Towne Singers from its inception has prioritized community and fellowship and fun with some serious singing thrown in too,” Merrill said of the group’s founding principles.
The concert format demonstrates the choir’s innovative approach to audience engagement, featuring narrative segments by emcee Michael Shaughnessy and opportunities for photos with Santa during intermission.
Having evolved into a cultural cornerstone of the La Cañada-Pasadena area, the choir maintains both a full ensemble and an auditioned chamber group for community outreach.
Members travel from throughout the region, some journeying over 40 miles to participate in the ensemble.
“I love the challenge of working and playing with singers that are at various levels of experience,” said Merrill, who works alongside accompanist Richard An.
The organization has received citations of artistic excellence from both the State of California and the City of La Cañada Flintridge for its cultural contributions. Their diverse repertoire spans classical, Broadway, spirituals, gospel, folk, and patriotic music, reflecting their mission to provide musical opportunities for diverse community members.
The group’s evolution from traditional “stand and sing” concerts to interactive experiences has helped maintain classical music’s relevance while building community connections.
Tickets for the Dec. 7 performance at 5 p.m. can be purchased at www.townesingers.org/next-
