Mercer Singers performing in annual Christmas concert

Mercer Singers are performing in a two-day free Christmas concert this weekend.

Organizers say they’re expecting more than one thousand people to attend the “20th Annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.” The performers will tell the story of redemption based on the Bible through music and scriptures.

“Ninety-percent of our repertoire that we sing is acappella,” Mercer University Director of Choral Studies Stanley Roberts said. “We do a lot of singing four part, six part, eight part, and sometimes even 10 part pieces.”

Barbara Martinez is a Mercer University graduate student who joined the group two years ago.

“I’m very happy that I did,” Martinez said. “It’s a predominantly undergraduate choir, but here at Mercer the graduate students are able to participate as well and I figured that it would be a great opportunity for me to be involved in beautiful music making.”

Clay Mote has been singing with the group for three years.

“Many people in the community enjoy coming and listening to music,” says Mote. “It’s such a Christmas tradition and it’s something my family enjoys going to as well.”

The audience can also sing along with the choir during a unique part of the show. Stanley says it helps make the concert special for the singers.

The performances will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Macon Friday and Saturday. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Christmas concert will also feature Mercer University’s Women and Brass choirs.