Jamestown High School Madrigal Singers after their holiday performance for the Norden Women’s Club at Moonbrook Country Club. Submitted photo

The First Lutheran Church sanctuary will once again be filled with A Cappella carols, both new and old.

This year, the Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir will hold in-person performances of its annual Vespers concert. Last year, a virtual presentation was made. This year, performances are scheduled for Dec. 12 and 19 at 4 p.m.

However, in-person attendance will be limited to those with tickets, which will be disbursed to choir members for their guests.

These arrangements were put in place due to seating capacity and safe distancing requirements.

The district will stream the events live beginning at 4 p.m. during each performance at jpsny.org/acappella.

Choir Director Lauren Scharf said she is glad to see the performance can once again be held in person.

“I’m extremely excited,” she said. “I think Vespers is such a personal experience, and I think that so many … have ties and connections to this concert that it’s really important that it is performed in front of an audience because so many people do have that personal connection to it. I think it’s meant to be shared with the community and meant to be performed in person, in that space and in that venue where you’re getting that great reverberation and that great musical sound with the feedback from the audience right away.”

Scharf said the students are also excited to perform in front of a live audience once again. She said the seniors are also glad to get one more chance to perform at Vespers as a part of the choir.

“Especially the students who had the opportunity to perform in the 2019 Vespers for the 95th anniversary,” she said. “Those students were in 10th grade when they performed that concert – now they’re seniors getting to once again perform in person, but also for the last time, so that’s really special for them.”

Musical offerings include the traditional favorites including “Kyrie Eleison,” “Silent Night” and “The First Noel,” as well as “Veni Veni, Emmanuel,” and “When Stars Shone Down.” This year’s choir has 70 plus members and will be accompanied by Julie Livengood and Director Emeritus Brian Bogey will be the organist for the events.

Scharf said New York State education law requires that all students be masked during the performance. Also, attendees will also be asked to wear masks. Social distancing will be observed both for performers and those in the audience.

Scharf added that the choir is looking into a digital way to collect donations as well, due to the pandemic.

“I just want to thank the community for their continued support of this program,” she said. “It means so much to so many people in this community. We’re always so thankful for how many people come out and continue to support the A Cappella Choir even after this pandemic, and after they graduated. We really appreciate it.”