Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the music department of the Zion UCC in Lehighton will hold this year’s annual Cantata outdoors.

Since COVID-19 has made the traditional cantata an impossibility, the Zion UCC has decided to hold an outdoor Cantata at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Lehighton Upper Park Amphitheater.

A maximum of 50 singers will be accepted this year due to social distancing restrictions, so anyone interested in singing is encouraged to inquire as soon as possible.

The event is free to the public. A social distancing plan has been submitted to the borough, and all who attend are encouraged to practice social distancing.

There is plenty of space to set up lawn chairs on the newly renovated tiered section of the park, as well on either side and in the upper section.

The group will get together at 1 p.m. the day of the event for a rehearsal, but singers will be social distanced outdoors to prevent any spread of the virus.

Singers from churches from throughout the county will come together to perform Dennis and Nan Allen’s cantata entitled “All is Well.” Singers will be practicing the cantata remotely before the date of the event.

Music books, as well as sample performance CDs, were distributed to those members who wished to join the group. The cantata is a mixture of contemporary and traditional Christmas music with up to date, meaningful readings.

Some of the songs include Gloria Medley including “The First Noel” and “Gloria; Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus; Hark! “The Herald Angels Sing”; “This Same God”; “O Holy Night!”; “Hope of the Nations”; Joy Medley including “Joy to the World” (Unspeakable Joy) and “O Come,” “All Ye Faithful” and “Advent Hymn.”

Also included is “I Believe in Christmas” which will feature Dave Riegel with a tenor solo and the Title song, “All is Well” will feature Amy Shelly as the alto soloist. Kathy Long will serve as the narrator for the event. Laura Reichard, organist at First Presbyterian Church and Zion UCC both of Lehighton, will be the accompanist and provide prelude music. Unfortunately, due to COVID, there will be no orchestra this year.

The cantata books for “All is Well” were purchased by Barry Shupp in memory of Shirley Wentz, a longtime member of Zion UCC’s choir. Although it is not being used this year, orchestration for the cantata was purchased by Zion’s dedicated quilting group, The Daughters of Zion.

A free will offering will be accepted. Due to the financial strain the pandemic has caused this year, the collection will be split to benefit the music department at Zion UCC so they can continue hosting ecumenical events like this in the future, as well as Family Promise of Carbon County, who has also experienced financial challenged from COVID-19.

The music department at Zion UCC and the Cantata us under the direction of Brad R. Cressley.