Salamanca,NY
This year the Foothills Christmas Cantata Choir will showcase Ernest Pead (pictured) as their conductor. Annette Ieda, the director for the past 13 years, will be unable to lead the group due to upcoming knee surgery. Long-standing Cantata Choir member, Ernie Pead, eagerly stepped in to help out. He has been working on writing and arranging Christmas music for the group for the past two years. His recent retirement gave him the time to finish the project and he is planning to present it to the choir at their first rehearsal at the Riverside Chapel in Salamanca at 1:15pm on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. Like in the past, the rehearsals will alternate between the 134 Broad Street location in Salamanca, and the United Church of Ellicottville, 51 Elizabeth Street. The Concerts will both be on Sunday, December 13, at 3pm in Salamanca, and 7pm at the Holy Name of Mary Church in Ellicottville. Area adult musicians are invited to join in the group of about 40 singers. There will also be a junior choir for elementary/junior high age children. There are 8 rehearsals planned to master this collection of Lessons and Carols which tell the story of the coming and the birth of Jesus Christ. The origins of the music cover a range of ten centuries (12th-21st) and include pieces for a brass choir, accompaniments for string players, recorder or flute, guitar, piano, organ, harp, and even a tambourine. Since there are no auditions, we need to know of your availability. Please call one of the committee members to register or just show up at the first rehearsal with your enthusiasm and musicianship ready to serve God and our community this Christmas Season. Committee Members: Ernie Pead: 716-392-0045. Nancy Rogan: 585-403-1219, Wendy O’Neil Hill: 716-397-9454, or Annette Ieda: 717-912-3512.