Christmas Concert – Coles County Chorus
The Coles County Chorus is delighted to announce its annual Christmas Concert, a festive celebration of the holiday season filled with timeless carols, harmonious performances, and community spirit. This free event promises to uplift hearts and support local causes, making it a perfect outing for families, friends, and music lovers alike.
The concert will take place on Sunday, December 7th, at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 2206 4th Street in Charleston. Doors open at 2:30 PM, with the performance beginning promptly at 3:00 PM.
Admission is free, though a free-will donation will be collected at the door. All proceeds from these generous contributions will benefit Coles County food banks and homeless shelters, helping to provide essential support to those in need during the holiday season.
Attendees can look forward to a captivating program featuring beloved holiday songs performed by the Coles County Chorus, including:
• “Caroling, Caroling”
• “Deck the Halls” (with guest singers from Coles County and the surrounding area)
• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
• “Mary Did You Know”
• “Oh! Holy Night”
• “Silent Night”
• “Sleigh Ride”
• “(Everybody’s Waitin’ for) The Man With the Bag”
Adding to the afternoon’s magic, special guest performers will join the chorus on stage, including appearances by the Huckleberry Friends Quartet, Tinnitus Quartet, and talented students from the Mt. Zion High School Barbershop Chorus Program. These collaborations will bring a unique blend of vocal styles and youthful energy to the festivities.
The Coles County Chorus (CCC), a registered chapter of The Barbershop Harmony Society, was founded in 1970 and boasts 32 active members. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM at the United Christian Church, 200 E Lafayette Ave, Mattoon, Illinois, and invites men to join them at any Tuesday rehearsal.
Recently, CCC joined with The Sound of Illinois Barbershop Chorus to compete in the Barbershop Harmony Illinois District convention, and took first place in the competition with two original barbershop arrangements of songs from “Elf The Musical.” Looking ahead, CCC will team up with The Sound of Illinois again to perform and compete at the 2026 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention in St. Louis on July 3rd and 4th.
For more information, including directions, updates or joining the CCC singers at a rehearsal, please contact Charlie Niehaus at cniehausacusd@gmail.com or call 618-335-9237.