Anna Laura Page
Children’s Chorus of Greater North Texas
The Children’s Chorus of Greater North Texas will sing in the season on Dec. 3 with their annual Christmas concert. The performance will be at 7 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sherman. It is open to the public, free of charge, but donations will be accepted at the door.
This year’s performance will honor the local vocalist, musician and song-writer, Anna Laura Page of Sherman. Page graduated from the University of Kentucky, earning a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education with a concentration in piano and a master’s degree in music theory. An active composer, clinician and organist, she served on the music committee of the Southern Baptist 1991 Hymnal Committee and served as handbell editor for the supplemental music resources for the Celebrating Grace Hymnal released in 2010. She has received the ASCAP Standards Award for the past several years.
Page has taught organ as an adjunct faculty member at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and theory/organ as an adjunct faculty member at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina. She served as director of the Austin Peay Community Children’s Chorus in Clarksville, Tennessee for three years and, later, served as handbell music editor for Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. Her publications include choral works for children, youth and adults and compositions for handbells, organ and pinao. She is married to Dr. Oscar C. Page, president emeritus of Austin College in Sherman.
Susan Matthews, instructor/director of the Children’s Chorus, says, “I love to give the children I teach special memories, so I decided to talk with Anna Laura Page in August about singing some of her pieces in a concert this year … We planned a concert date and then she (Page) arranged her schedule so that she could rehearse with the kids and tell them about the pieces they are singing. We are so fortunate to have a nationally-recognized composer in our community and this concert is to honor her and her work.”
Page says she’s been spending time with the choir and encourages the public to attend the concert.
“They are singing their little heads off. They just sound wonderful,” says Page. “Susan has done a lovely job with them. They are just precious, singing just right and doing all the right things. They sing beautifully. Their little voices just soar. I’m thrilled to death! If you come to the concert, you’ll hear beautiful sounds and excitement. They are just adorable.”
Making up the Children’s Chorus Concert Choir are: Emma, Brittani and Caleb Crocker, Amelia, Kelsey and Heather Stewart, Morgan and Molly McCrady, Anna and Allison Young, Rebekah Bayless, Ilena Nichols, Alex, Aaron and Andrew Young, Lena Adams and Sophia Carel.
Performing several numbers with the children will be the Bel Canto Singers, comprised of Shirley Waldrum, Nikki Crocker, Mary Browning-Alquist, Jessica Healy, Susan Pedigo, Paulette Chavers, Susan Marum, Gail Grigg and Jackie Moore.
Featured songs will be: O Come Adore The Newborn Kind by Franz Schubert; Carol of the Angels, arranged by Jill Gallina; Still, Still, Still, arranged by Anna Laura Page; Come To Us, words and music by Page; Chatter With the Angels, arranged by Page; Santa Surprised, arranged by Jill Gallina; The Shepherds’ Nowell, words and music by Page; Angel Carol, music by Page; A Jolly Merry Christmas, arranged by John Leavitt; O Come Little Children, arranged by Page; Silent, Starry Night, words and music by Page; Wren’s Song, words by Anna Laura Page and Kristan Page, and music by Anna Laura Page; Praise Can Be Like Children, music by Page and Words by Trilby Jordan; We Wish You A Happy Holiday, arranged by Connelly & STrid; Deck The Halls For All, arranged by Sally Albrecht; and One Candle, by Andy Beck.
Following the concert, all attendees are invited to a reception at the church.
