The West Chester Area Community Chorus (WCACC) will present their Annual Winter Concert on Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. at the West Chester East High School Auditorium (450 Ellis Lane in West Chester).

The growing choral group now has more than 160 members from all over southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware. The concert program includes medleys of pop songs (The Mamas and The Papas, Barry Manilow and others), sacred offerings (the traditional hymn "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" and the anthem "Festival Sanctus"), a spiritual number ("Let the Saints Get Up and Sing!"), and the uplifting "Set Me As a Seal Upon Your Heart" and "Song for the Unsung Hero." A smaller ensemble asks, "Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home?", and as usual, both the men and women of the chorus each have a special. Tickets are $5, available from any member ahead of time, but available at the door, too, space allowing. 

WCACC is about the joy of song. The group does not ask for audition, ability to read music, or any kind of experience. “If a person is interested in singing and takes joy from singing, we welcome them heartily,” says director/founder George Waldie. “With members from 20-something to 80-something, we enjoy and have fun making music -- and that joy is displayed at our events.”

Neither George, his assistant director daughter Sam (Samantha Brown), principal accompanist Janet Thompson, associate accompanist Ellie Watts nor any instrumental or vocal soloist has ever participated for any other reason than the joy and privilege of being a WCACC member.  

Concert performances are based on a school calendar. There are two concerts, one in January and one in May, and one two hour rehearsal a week. The music ranges from classical choral works to Broadway show tunes and folk songs, to spirituals, pop music, and more. The WCCAC has sung the National Anthem for Wilmington Blue Rocks and Philadelphia Phillies games, and carols for the West Chester Christmas, and sings special events throughout the Delaware Valley area.  

For more information, visit www.westchesterchorus.org.