9am & 11am Choral & Orchestra Christmas Musical Presentation
Go Sing It On The Mountain by Pepper Choplin
Join us for worship along with our Festival Choir and Orchestra as we present Pepper Choplin’s powerful Christmas musical, Go Sing It on the Mountain. This inspiring work blends traditional carols, Appalachian folk tunes, and gospel spirit to retell the story of Christ’s birth with energy and joy! With stirring narration and unforgettable music, the cantata invites us to “go, tell it” with boldness and hope. We will present this musical masterpiece on Sunday, December 21 for BOTH Services along with guest instrumentalists. Take a look at some of our instrumentalists and vocal soloists below~~We can't wait to share this with you!
Learn more about the musicians below!
Philip Nichols - Accompanist
Philip is honored and excited to be a part of the music ministries at Arcola UMC. Born and raised in the United Methodist Church, Philip started playing piano with his local praise band when he was in middle school. Including accompanist positions and volunteer work, he has been playing in the Church for over 10 years. Philip holds a B.A. in Piano Performance from West Virginia University and a M.M. in Piano Performance and Literature from Florida State University and currently teaches piano from his home in Herndon, VA. His hobbies include playing Bach, DIY projects, and cooking.
Raffie McEachin - Pianist & Double Bassist
Raffie is a student composer and performer. He is an Interlochen Alum and Fromm Foundation Fellow, and his works have been premiered by festivals as well as at recitals during his time at Interlochen. As well as being a classically trained pianist, he also performs in the DC Youth Virtuosi as the principal double bassist.
Rev. Tianna Durbin - Minister of Worship & Arts
For twelve years now, I’ve had the honor of shaping Worship and Arts Ministries at Arcola, and every now and then a piece comes along that feels like it sings straight to the heart. Go Sing It on the Mountain is one of those gifts of the season—a cantata overflowing with hope. I’m thrilled to help bring it to life with our choir and orchestra ensemble! My prayer is that its message will bless every heart that hears it and remind us all of the hope Christ brings. Welcome to our world, Holy Child!
Julie Kemp - Violinist
Julie Kemp began playing the violin at age 7 and played through high school. She returned to playing in her 30s and has enjoyed playing with McLean Orchestra, Arlington United Methodist, Orchestra and St. John’s United Methodist Church in Springfield and of course Arcola!
Margaret Jones - Violinist
Margaret has played the viola for 5 years and the violin for 12 years, and been a member of the Independence High School Chamber Sinfonia. She’s excited to share her love of stringed instruments in the celebration of the Christmas season!
Grace Johnson - Violinist
I have been playing my violin for 9 years now, and I’m currently playing with my school orchestra at Independence High. I am very excited to be part if the Christmas Eve presentation for Arcola Church.
Joy McLaughlin - Vocal Soloist
Joy has been singing for as long as she has been talking. Started in church choir in third grade and has been singing ever since.
Carole Salgado - Vocal Soloist
Carole has been singing since she was a little girl, with a lifelong passion for music that has included church choirs, school choruses, show choirs, and musical theater productions in church. She has been a member of the Arcola Church choir for the past 11 years, and the Praise Band for seven years. Carole is especially excited about this year’s Christmas cantata for its beautiful blend of traditional and folk music, paired with both new and refreshed lyrics. Her favorite piece is “Scottish Worship Carol,” particularly the line, “Sweet Child from Heaven, promised One, You stir our souls and warm our hearts. And so we rise to do our part and worship You, O Lord.” which captures the spirit of the season and the joy of worship that has shaped her musical journey.
Rebecca Simmons - Vocal Soloist
Rebecca has been singing in the Arcola Alleluia Choir for 13 years. This cantata is a joyful and delightful way to celebrate Jesus’ birth through song. I am truly honored that Tianna is giving me the opportunity to sing with a small ensemble for Angel Band.
Peggy Carnes - Vocal Soloist
Peggy Carnes spent many years performing in show choir, regional and A cappella choirs in high school and she is currently a member of the Alleluia Choir here at AUMC. She has been in the last two musicals at Arcola performing as Elsa Schrader, the Baroness, in The Sound of Music and Babette, the feather duster, in Beauty and the Beast.
Paul Hershey - Vocal Soloist
Paul has been singing since he was eight years old, beginning with church children's choirs, and evolving to high school, college, and adult choirs and musicals. What excites him most about this cantata is its wide variety of music, ranging from traditional to country to Scottish songs and carols.
Ramon Tate - Vocal Soloist
Ramon has been singing ever since he can remember: in elementary and middle school musicals, high school chorus, college glee club, and with a serious music volunteer ensemble at NIH. And that doesn't include at church—from Sunday School through Youth and Adult choirs, as well as serving as congregational song leader for about 45 years! So singing with AAC is the capstone for me, especially this year's cantata that so completely and beautifully declares the reason for our faith. I'm looking forward to many more years of joyful singing with the Arcola UMC under Tianna's excellent leadership.
Rachel Kotraba - Vocal Soloist
Rachel is very active in Arcola’s music ministry. She’s been singing with the Alleluia Choir since 2016. She’s part of the Wednesday prayer service team, the Joyful Noise praise band, and the Grace Note Ringers hand bell choir. She loves to participate in Arcola’s musical productions and was honored to most recently portray Belle in Arcola’s production of Beauty and the Beast.
Don Harris - Vocal Soloist
Don started singing in the church children's choir at an early age and continued to sing in choirs and musical productions through college. Following a several decade-long hiatus, he was thrilled to be able to sing with the Arcola Alleluia Choir and most recently, the Joyful Noise Praise Band. For him, singing this cantata is particularly uplifting because of the wide variety of musical styles that are included, illustrating the beauty found in all the diverse ways to praise our loving God. 
Deb Porter - Vocal Soloist
Deb has been singing in the Arcola Alleluia Choir for 11 years, but her love for church music began as a little girl, singing alongside her dad in their home church. What she loves most about Go Sing It on the Mountain is how it fills you with the triumphant joy of Jesus's birth, like the mountains themselves are echoing the good news, perfectly capturing the wonder, hope, and celebration of Christmas in a way that makes your heart want to sing aloud.
Cale Pritchett - Vocal Soloist
Cale Pritchett and his family have been attending Arcola UMC since 2019, and Cale has been singing since he was a kid when his mom was the pianist at church. Cale especially loves the various musical styles that are present in this year's Cantata and hopes that everyone who listens hears something that inspires them to remember the reason for the season this year.