News and Plans

We have selected the cantata for this Christmas (2008) Joy, Joy, Joy.  This brand new cantata includes a tremendous message and very powerful music in a blend of narration and songs that are both new and part of our Christmas tradition.  It involves solos, ensembles and a group of young voices!  It has already deeply moved me spiritually and I know you will also be touched by it!  I'm thrilled and thankful to have this musical ministry opportunity!

Rehearsals start October 6.   For more information click on the "Home" or "Participant Info" buttons.

The 2007 Community Christmas Cantata Choir was pleased and excited to announce the title of their new program for this year, Unspeakable Joy.  Rehearsals began October 1.  For more information click on the "Home" or "Participant Info" buttons.

The cantata was performed the during Advent season. Performances were free and open to the public with the exception of a performance for inmates in the minimum-security Camp chapel at the Federal Correctional Institution near Sheridan. The list of performances can be found by clicking on the "Performances" button.

We did a Spring 2007 concert, Evidence of Grace.  This was totally new for the choir, non-seasonal, upbeat & fun. 

The 2006 Community Christmas Cantata Choir shared Canticle of Christmas, choral cantata created in 1991 by Tom Fettke and Camp Kirkland.

The 40(+/-)-member, five-part, non-denominational choir includes adult singers, instrumental musicians (piano, synthesizer, percussion, guitar, handbells and electric bass) and narrators of various faith traditions from about a dozen communities in Marion, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties. Since at least 1988, this group has assembled annually in early October solely for the purpose of preparing its Christmas cantata. Several soloists and small ensembles are involved. All participants are volunteers and pay for their own materials. The director of the group since 1990 has been Lee Schrepel of Yamhill, former choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church, McMinnville. Piano accompanist this season is Debbie Schrepel of Gaston, a pianist and flutist at McMinnville Covenant Church.

The public was invited and will be warmly welcomed. Hosting congregations were asked to offer refreshments and child care, and are expected to receive a free-will offering in support of the YCAP Yamhill County Food Bank program. Over the past years our outreach ministry support thru the Choir for local hungry & homeless people has facilitated donations as follows:

• 2000 ~ more than $1,400.
• 2001 ~ more than $1,100.
• 2002 ~ more than $1,500.
• 2003 ~ more than $4,100 when we first dedicated the season to a particular outreach ministry.
• 2004 ~ about $4,500.
• 2005 ~ more than $5,800.
• 2006 ~ more than $7,100. Thank you for your generosity.
• 2007 ~ more than $1,500 during spring.
• 2007 ~ more than $10,000 during the Christmas season. Praise God for your generosity!

Contact Lee or Linda Schrepel (503-662-3926), any of the hosting churches or the choir’s website (www.cantatachoir.org) for supplemental information. Individuals wishing to participate in the 2007 cantata should give the Schrepels an email address or a stamped, self-addressed postcard at one of the performances and watch local newspapers, church bulletins and the choir’s website for organizational information next September. Individuals and organizations wishing to assist future choirs financially should also contact the Schrepels.