MONROE - Circle of Friends, part of the music ministry of St. John's UCC in Monroe, will be releasing its first Christmas CD with a public concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 16529 W. Church Road, Brodhead.
Recorded in late August at Bethany Lutheran by Acoustic Imagery of Madison, the Christmas selections feature a mixture of styles, including gospel, contemporary and traditional.
An outreach of St. John's music ministry, the trio of singers plus their piano accompanist joined forces in 1997 as an off-shoot of a women's triple trio at the church. The group initially sang and presented programs at various churches and events throughout south-central Wisconsin until one of the members was unable to continue singing due to health concerns.
In 2008, an "interim" singer was recruited, and the group began singing again as part of St. John's music ministry. In recent years, the group has sung at area churches as well as at the Monticello homecoming, Green County Relay for Life, Monticello Historical Society, Midday Masterworks organ mini-recital series, Green County Harmony Chorus concert, Monroe City Band Stage Band show and Monroe Clinic's Memorial Service.
The group is currently comprised of Brenda Payne, pianist; Deborah Krauss Smith, soprano; Pam Wyss, mezzo; and Deb Krattiger, alto. They released their first CD of general anthems in 2010.
The public is invited to attend the CD release concert; there is no admission charge, and a reception will follow the one-hour program. Bethany Lutheran, which is handicapped-accessible, is located just east of Brodhead, a little over 2 miles east of County T.
Circle of Friends has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CircleofFriends4.
Recorded in late August at Bethany Lutheran by Acoustic Imagery of Madison, the Christmas selections feature a mixture of styles, including gospel, contemporary and traditional.
An outreach of St. John's music ministry, the trio of singers plus their piano accompanist joined forces in 1997 as an off-shoot of a women's triple trio at the church. The group initially sang and presented programs at various churches and events throughout south-central Wisconsin until one of the members was unable to continue singing due to health concerns.
In 2008, an "interim" singer was recruited, and the group began singing again as part of St. John's music ministry. In recent years, the group has sung at area churches as well as at the Monticello homecoming, Green County Relay for Life, Monticello Historical Society, Midday Masterworks organ mini-recital series, Green County Harmony Chorus concert, Monroe City Band Stage Band show and Monroe Clinic's Memorial Service.
The group is currently comprised of Brenda Payne, pianist; Deborah Krauss Smith, soprano; Pam Wyss, mezzo; and Deb Krattiger, alto. They released their first CD of general anthems in 2010.
The public is invited to attend the CD release concert; there is no admission charge, and a reception will follow the one-hour program. Bethany Lutheran, which is handicapped-accessible, is located just east of Brodhead, a little over 2 miles east of County T.
Circle of Friends has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CircleofFriends4.
