Mountain Melody Women’s Chorus started its 20th anniversary season with a sparkling trio of holiday concerts that filled halls across Calaveras County with laughter, nostalgia and a generous dose of “Pure Imagination.”
The long-running ensemble performed December 6 in Mokelumne Hill, December 7 in Mountain Ranch and will perform December 13 in Murphys, drawing enthusiastic crowds to each venue. With the holiday rush in full swing, the events offered a cheerful pause - a chance for families, neighbors and longtime fans to gather and celebrate both the season and the group’s milestone year.
The chorus, built from singers throughout the Mother Lode, marked two full decades of performances this winter. What began as a small gathering of women who simply loved to sing, has grown into a polished, well-blended ensemble known for its heartfelt winter programs and their ability to make audiences grin, sigh and occasionally tear up.
This year’s holiday theme, “Pure Imagination,” set the tone for a program that focused on wonder and tradition in equal measure. From the first notes of their opening song, the chorus invited listeners to step into a musical world packed with color, warmth and the comforting familiarity of holiday classics.
The concerts showcased a thoughtfully curated blend of timeless favorites - including lively renditions of “Sleigh Ride” and “Christmas Waltz” - as well as contemporary choral pieces such as the peaceful “Sing Gently” and the dreamy, floating “Walking in the Air.” The title piece, “Pure Imagination,” served as a nod both to the season’s sense of possibility and to the journey Mountain Melody has taken since its earliest days.
Artistic Director and Mountain Melody Director Julia Shelby, who has been with the group since the beginning, guided the singers through the program with her signature precision. “Our music showcases our talented, dedicated singers and our piano accompanist, with a program designed to transport listeners to sparkling worlds of holiday beauty,” said Shelby.
Pianist Marge Biagi-Castro provided the musical backbone of the performance, weaving expressive accompaniment through every piece. Longtime Master of Ceremonies Bill Wilmer returned to the stage to introduce selections and keep audiences smiling between sets.
That sense of unity reverberated through the group’s vocal blend. The sopranos - Marie Bedard, Lee Davis and Tari Takara - delivered crystalline highs; mezzo-sopranos Julie Crosby, Kathryn Eustis, Sue Wilmer, Susan Komure and Gay Hakola-Maloney filled out the harmonic middle; and altos Marci Duggan, Martha Johnson, Jennifer Robinson and Tina Simpson provided rich, grounding warmth. Together, their voices created the seamless sound that has become Mountain Melody’s signature.
Audience members at each venue responded with loud applause and wide smiles. At the historic Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill, listeners packed into the ballroom to experience the opening show, where echoes of harmony drifted through the old wooden corridors. In Mountain Ranch, the chorus performed before a hometown crowd at the Community Club, drawing neighbors who have supported the singers since their founding. The final concert at Murphys Creek Theatre will bring the season to a lively close, filling the intimate space with music.
The group’s commitment to offering the concerts free of charge - while gratefully accepting donations - ensured that the performances remained accessible to all ages and backgrounds. Many attendees described the events as a welcome break from holiday chaos, a moment to breathe and reconnect through music.
For Mountain Melody, the 20th anniversary was more than a number. It represented hundreds of rehearsals, countless performances, enduring friendships and the quiet but powerful role of community art in rural life. The singers come from Mountain Ranch, Valley Springs, Mokelumne Hill, San Andreas, Angels Camp, Murphys and even Fiddletown, each bringing her own experience and personality to the ensemble. Yet when they step onto a stage, the common purpose is unmistakable: to share joy.
As Mountain Melody looks ahead to its next decade, the chorus shows no signs of slowing down. New members continue to join, longtime singers remain enthusiastic and the community’s support is as strong as ever.
For those who attended this year’s shows, the music of “Pure Imagination” lingers - a reminder that the holidays are made brighter by harmony, friendship and a willingness to believe in something beautiful.
More information about Mountain Melody, including future performances, can be found at mountainmelody.org or by contacting Director Julia Shelby at 209-419-0028.
With its 20th anniversary almost complete, Mountain Melody heads into the new year carrying forward the same spark that started it all: a love of singing and a shared desire to make the season a little more magical.
For more from Mountain Melody’s performance at the Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill visit the Calaveras Enterprise YouTube channel, Sierra Lodestar at YouTube.com/@SierraLodestar