Voices of Appalachia Brings Holiday Concert to West Union
Voices of Appalachia presented its 2025 Christmas program, Wonder and Joy, in West Union over the weekend, bringing seasonal choral repertoire and regional musicians to local audiences. The performances reinforced a growing tradition for Adams County families and highlighted the role of community arts in local cultural and economic life.
Voices of Appalachia filled West Union First Presbyterian Church with music on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, presenting the ensemble's 2025 Christmas program, Wonder and Joy. Saturday's concert began at 3 p.m. with doors opening at 2 30 p.m., and Sunday's performance began at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5 30 p.m. The church is located at 110 South Second Street.
The program combined familiar carols with lesser known Appalachian holiday pieces, supported by a children s chorus and a small string quartet composed of regional professional musicians. The mix of repertoire and local performers aimed to connect the community with both traditional Christmas music and the region s musical heritage. For many Adams County families the winter concert has become a seasonal highlight, drawing multigenerational audiences and giving young singers performance experience.
Organizers provided information about tickets, seating, and community accessibility ahead of the concerts to accommodate neighborhood residents. The event took place in a venue that typically serves as a civic gathering point, and the timing early in December helped anchor other holiday activity in downtown West Union.
Beyond the immediate cultural value, the concerts carry economic and social implications for the county. Even modest attendance at community concerts supports nearby businesses such as restaurants and shops, and sustained programming helps retain and attract residents who value a vibrant local arts scene. The inclusion of professional regional musicians also helps circulate arts income within the local economy while offering youth pathways into performance.
As a short term cultural event the concerts provided seasonal entertainment and social connection. Over the longer term continued presentations like Wonder and Joy contribute to Adams County s cultural infrastructure, reinforcing community identity and sustaining a small but meaningful stream of economic activity tied to arts and civic life.
