November 23: Northern Lights Women's Chorus Presents Fall Concert, 'And Nature Smiled'

Our Driftless region deserves more than postcards — it deserves a watchdog. Be that support. DECORAH — The Northern Lights Women's Chorus will present its fall concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Decorah Lutheran Church. The 47-member ensemble, composed of singers from Decorah and nine other communities, will perform a variety of choral music with the theme "And Nature Smiled." This will be the first concert conducted by the choir's new artistic director, Bethany Engen. The choir will perform music from a range of genres, including Appalachian folk, modern folk, contemporary choral music, Broadway show tunes and jazz. Composers include Luther College graduate and Iowa composer Allen Koepke, Elaine Hagenberg, Irving Berlin and Joseph M. Martin. Intermission will continue the nature theme with solos performed by soprano Rachel Storlie. Northern Lights member Melanie Folkerts will also perform a G.F. Handel aria. Julia Wharton, violin, will accompany the chorus on several folk pieces. The choir's collaborative pianist is Mary Beth Bouska. During intermission, a freewill offering will be taken, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Decorah Community Food Pantry. During the upcoming holiday season, Northern Lights will perform at Decorah's Holiday Lights Walk-Through Night at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Pulpit Rock Campground, and at Vesterheim Christmas at noon Dec. 6. Following that performance, the choir will sing at Wellington Place Skilled Nursing/Assisted Living, Aase Haugen Senior Services and Barthell Eastern Star Home. Decorah Lutheran Church is located at 309 Winnebago St., Decorah, Iowa. For more information, visit the choir's Facebook page. Or email northernlightsdecorah@gmail.com. Elevate your inbox with the DecorahNews.com newsletter! Receive free thought-provoking articles, actionable advice and inspiring stories every week.