The community is welcome to experience the sounds of the season during a Christmas concert that will be presented by the LanChester Chorus on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m. at the Christiana Fire Company, 214 S. Bridge St., Christiana.

This year's concert marks the 75th anniversary of the chorus. To mark the milestone, the concert will feature nostalgic elements. "Anyone that has any involvement with the chorus has been invited back to sing a few song selections," said director Kim. Kusnersyk of Strasburg, noting that the chorus includes members from both Lancaster and Chester counties, many of whom are also members of their church choirs.

"Our musical selections will (include) old songs that the chorus used to sing throughout the years. We will go retro with the music - songs that people will know," she added. "Some of the ladies will wear the outfits we have worn previously over the years."

The upcoming concert will feature both sacred and secular holiday music. The singers will be accompanied by Christine Smith of Willow Street.

"On the sacred side, we will do the 'Hallelujah' Chorus and 'Mary, Did You Know?'" said Kusnersyk. "On the secular side, there will be 'White Christmas,' 'Sleigh Ride' and 'The Christmas Song.'"

The fire hall's banquet room, where the chorus has been rehearsing for more than 70 years, will be decorated for the concert with poinsettias and greens. The singers will dress formally for the occasion. The men will wear dark suits and red ties, and the ladies will wear black with red scarves.

According to a history of the chorus, the group was founded in 1950 by Martha Jean Moffett and Richard Wright. Wright served as accompanist and business manager for the chorus from 1950 through 2008. In addition to Moffett, the directors over the years have included Sally Breuninger, Jim Zwally, Donald Trostle, Elliott Block, Cliff Behrendt, Earl Pickel and Bill Young.

Over the years, the chorus has presented concerts at local venues, including Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine River Museum. The chorus has sung the national anthem numerous times for the Philadelphia Phillies and Lancaster Stormers.

It also had the distinction of performing several times at the White House during its Christmas tours and at the Kennedy Center. The chorus performed at the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg and at the open house at the governor's mansion. In the summer, the group performed concerts in Cape May and in Ocean City, N.J.

Kusnersyk, who says that she gets her love of music from her father, was a member of the LanChester Chorus before being named its director more than 20 years ago. "My father was an original member of the chorus in 1950," she stated.

Kusnersyk also announced that she will retire as director, and that this will the group's final performance of its Christmas concert. "We had a great run," she stated. "We sang at fabulous places."

Light refreshments, including cookies and punch, will be served after the concert. There is no admission fee, but a freewill offering will be received.

Those with questions about the concert may contact Kusnersyk at kkusnersyk@yahoo.com.