County Foundation Supports Holiday Concert, Boosts Local Arts
The Adams County Community Foundation awarded a community arts grant to underwrite Voices of Appalachia, enabling the choir to present Night of Wonder, Night of Joy at the First Presbyterian Church in West Union on December 6 and December 7. The funding joins support from the Adams County Arts Council and other partners, helping expand musical opportunities for students and local performers while strengthening the county arts scene.
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The Adams County Community Foundation has funded a community arts grant to support Voices of Appalachia's holiday concert Night of Wonder, Night of Joy, scheduled for Saturday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in West Union. The Foundation's grant joins underwriting from the Adams County Arts Council and other community partners to present a program that blends professional musicians with local ensembles.
This year's concert will include a professional string quartet and a brass quintet, alongside a local handbell choir, a children's chorus drawn from area students, and several local instrumentalists. Organizers say the mixed lineup is intended to showcase both established artists and emerging local talent, and to create a family friendly holiday program accessible to a broad segment of the county.
The grant reflects the Foundation's stated intent to strengthen local arts capacity by investing in community based cultural events. For Adams County, that investment serves multiple civic purposes. It provides performance opportunities for student musicians and volunteer ensembles, increases cultural programming in a rural setting, and directs philanthropic resources toward institutions that convene residents across towns and neighborhoods. Voices of Appalachia is entering its second full year and has recorded growing attendance, a trend that funders and local arts leaders cite as evidence of rising community interest in locally produced cultural offerings.
Night of Wonder, Night of Joy will take place in a prominent downtown worship space, which organizers and supporters say helps draw audiences into West Union and can have spillover benefits for nearby businesses during the holiday weekend. The inclusion of a children's chorus offers direct educational benefits for participating students, and the mix of professional and community performers aims to raise the technical standard and visibility of local music-making.
Residents seeking more information can consult the Voices of Appalachia Facebook page or contact the Adams County Community Foundation for event details and ticketing information. The Foundation and the Arts Council say they hope the program will build momentum for further collaborations that bring arts programming to more towns across the county.
Published October 30, 2025, this grant-backed concert is an example of local philanthropy and arts organizations working together to expand cultural access, support youth engagement in the arts, and strengthen the civic fabric of Adams County.
