January 2026 - A Busy New Year

What?  The end of 2025 already?!  The Vista Hills Chorus went full holiday mode, markedly expanding our repertoire with a host of songs that celebrate a variety of winter traditions – Chanukah, Solstice, Kwanza, and Christmas.  Some numbers brought the whimsy, some the aching nostalgia, and some the powerful promise of returning light to a throbbing drum accompaniment.  

The highlight of our season was indubitably our unforgettable December 7 holiday show, for which we teamed up with Harmony, Inc. friends - the California Note Catchers from La Jolla.  The choruses and invited quartets transformed into a festive bunch of Whos right out of Dr. Suess, with hair piled high.  We’re happy to report that the Grinch, who returned to us for a second season with a heart grown three sizes, has now learned that many holiday traditions can coexist harmoniously.  As our Cindy Lou Who reminded us:  
The magic of season, of Solstice, of cheer
Lives not in the sameness, but in each voice we hear.  
With each different voice doing its part,
Harmony is born from the warmth of our hearts.  

Adding warm harmony to our show were nine fabulous quartets: Charmed, Clef Hangers, Fantastique!, Merry Mayhem, MX, Nick of Time, Offbeat, Pixie Dust, and Sonic Bloom.  Friends and family went home glowing and stuffed with homemade goodies.  

The chorus continued Jingle Bell Rockin’ right through the holiday season, spreading cheer and music around North San Diego County.  We brought twinkles to eyes in a convalescent home, some warmth to folks braving the SoCal weather at the Holiday Lights event hosted by the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista, and offered hearty thank-yous to the church in Encinitas that has served as our rehearsal venue for over a decade.  

At last, we kicked back and put up our feet at our end-of-year potluck and gift exchange.  I missed those crazy friends while we took a quick break, and am very excited to be back and gearing up for the chorus’s 65th anniversary celebration in February… and (of course) contest prep mode.  Here’s to the best year yet – 2026! 

- Tabitha Woolpert 

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