Sea Notes of Brunswick County celebrating 50 Years with special Christmas concert

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Sea Notes Choral Society is celebrating a major milestone this holiday season: 50 years of bringing choral music to the region. As one of the area’s oldest and largest vocal ensembles, the group will commemorate its golden anniversary with a special Christmas concert this December.

The Sea Notes, established in 1974, began as a fundraiser for the bicentennial committee and has since become a staple of the Brunswick County music scene. “For those of you who were around then, you remember how big the bicentennial was,” said Mark Ferris, president of the Sea Notes and a performer in the ensemble. “That’s how we got started, and we’ve been doing community performances ever since for all kinds of occasions.”

The ensemble performs three major concerts annually: a spring concert in March, a patriotic concert in June in partnership with the North Carolina 4th of July Festival in Southport, and its signature Christmas concert in December. This year’s holiday event promises to be particularly memorable, with Cindy Sellers—one of the original conductors from 1974—leading the group, along with six guest directors who have conducted the Sea Notes over the years.

“This is going to be a really special one,” Ferris said. “We’ll have all kinds of music, from traditional sacred songs to classic Christmas tunes, though we’re not doing ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,’” he joked.

The concert will feature 17 songs, culminating in a surprise encore that Ferris teased but kept under wraps.

The performances will take place in a 1,500-seat auditorium, with free admission for all attendees. However, tickets for the event are required due to high demand and have already sold out. Ferris emphasized the importance of arriving early to secure a seat.

For those unable to attend this event, the Sea Notes will continue their tradition with future concerts in the spring and summer. Additionally, the group welcomes new singers and provides opportunities for those interested in joining. Details about upcoming performances and membership can be found here.