GULF SHORES, AL - Christmas music in all its many moods will ring out at the annual Holiday Concert at Gulf Shores United Methodist Church, 1900 Gulf shores Parkway, on Sunday evening Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. The concert is free and the public is welcome and invited to attend, a joyous way for all to add to the magic of the holiday season.

The GSUMC Chancel Choir will present The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 4, originally conducted by famed choral director Robert Shaw, with full orchestra along with traditional carols as a year-end celebration of the church's 50th Anniversary. The Choir will also present a group of three anthems by John Rutter, What Sweeter Music, Angel's Carol, and Christmas Lullaby, and the stirring chorus from Handel's Messiah, For Unto Us a Child is Born.

The choir will be accompanied by members of the Pensacola and Mobile Symphony orchestras, and by Jackie Dahlman, organist/pianist at GSUMC. Also on the program will be a solo by Marsha Guyer and a duet by Janis Ray and GSUMC Worship Arts Director Cody Johnson.

Choir member Dr. Clif Jones, retired professor and former General Manager of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra, Tupelo, Miss., has arranged one of the numbers for the orchestra.

Featured soloist at the concert will be harpist Dr. Jeanne O'Connell, adjunct professor at Faulkner State Community College. Dr. O'Connell also maintains a private music studio, and plays piano and organ at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairhope and Christ the King Catholic church in Daphne. She is a member of several regional music organizations and plays her harp at many engagements throughout the area.

Following the concert, a "White Christmas Offering" will be taken in support of the United Methodist Children's Homes. Further concert information is available by contacting the GSUMC office at 251-968-2411 or by visiting www.gulfshoresumc.org.