The Crosby-based Northwest Chorus and the Estevan-based Southeast Chorus will celebrate 40 years of Christmas music this year.

Rehearsals for the chorus will begin on Tuesday, September 7 at 6 p.m. Estevan time (7 p.m. N.D. time) at the Divide County Elementary gymnasium in Crosby.

Estevan and area singers can meet at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church at 5:15 p.m. for carpooling.

Ed Retzer will be returning for his 15th year as director. Harlan Johnson will be his assistant. Both are from Crosby. Danielle Evanson of Estevan is the primary piano accompanist, and Vicki Lee of Crosby will serve as the secondary accompanist.

This year’s performances are set for Saturday, December 4 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church in Estevan, and Sunday, December 5 at 4 p.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church in Crosby.

Since it is the 40th year, the first half of this year’s concert will feature highlights from Handel’s “Messiah” – the program that was presented during the first year of the chorus.

The second half will feature the traditional assortment of contemporary Christmas music.