The Brownwood Community Chorus was recently awarded a grant from the Arts Council of Brownwood for the annual “Voices of Christmas Concert,” scheduled for December 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Brownwood’s First Baptist Church. The Howard Payne University Concert Choir will join with the community ensemble for the performance.

The choirs are under the direction of Dr. Christopher B. Rosborough, chair of music, director of choral activities and associate professor of music at HPU.

Dr. Rosborough applied for the grant this semester and the Arts Council of Brownwood awarded sufficient funding for the soloists and orchestra to accompany the event. This year’s program will be G.F. Handel’s Messiah.

“It has been a number of years since we have had a performance of this timeless work in the Brown County area and I’m excited to be preparing the chorus and orchestra for this event,” said Dr. Rosborough. “We appreciate the Arts Council’s gracious support.”

The Arts Council of Brownwood is organized for the purpose of promoting the arts, facilitating fine arts activities, encouraging coordination between organizations, fostering the arts and creating cultural tourism in Brownwood.

For more information, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500.