Pirate singers to present holiday concert

The Braden River High School Choral Department will present its annual Holiday Silent Auction and Choral Concert at 6 p.m., Dec. 15, at the school, 6545 S.R. 70 E.

The choirs of Braden River High School include the Pirate Singers, the Women’s Chorale, and the auditioned concert choir, River Rhapsody. Each group will perform holiday selections such favorites as "Sleigh Ride," "Silent Night" and "Baby, It’s Cold Outside." Students will perform pieces in Latin, Spanish, French, German, Italian and English. River Rhapsody will pay tribute to traditional choral music through their haunting rendition of Tomas Luis de Victoria’s O Magnum Mysterium.

The choral department regularly gives back to its supportive community by performing at area events and charities. Most recently, River Rhapsody performed for the NOPE Vigil by invitation from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. This holiday season, the choir will perform at Water’s Edge, an assisted-living facility in Bradenton, and will carol in the neighborhoods surrounding the school. Students also will offer a service project to a neighboring senior adult community by wrapping Christmas gifts for the residents.

The 2009 Holiday Silent Auction will feature more than 40 items fromfriends and families of the department as well as local businesses. The businesses that have partnered with BRHS Choral Boosters for this event include Bungalow Beach Resort, Cracker Barrel (State Road 64), Discover Chiropractic & Wellness, The Grey Flannel Gallery, The Home Depot (Sarasota), JKB Designs, Let’s Eat, Mary Kay (private consultant), Miss Toni & the Macaroni Band, Princess House (private consultant), Rx For Results, Siesta Key Bungalow, Stepping Stone Clinic, Ellenton Subway, Total Care Physical Therapy, Tropical Interiors Florist and WWSB – ABC 7. Some of the items of interest include sports memorabilia, a gas grill, series 6 microderm, several massages and bungalow stays. The chorus students have also created class baskets of different themes that will be auctioned as well.