Foothills Christmas Cantata Announces New Director
Ernest Pead will lead the Foothills Christmas Cantata Choir this season as the group prepares for two December concerts and welcomes new adult and junior choir members.
ELLICOTTVILLE - The Cantata Choir of the Foothills announces a new director! This year the Foothills Christmas Cantata Choir will showcase Ernest Pead as their conductor. Annette Ieda, the director for the past 13 years, will be unable to lead the group due to upcoming knee surgery.
Long-standing Cantata Choir member, Ernie Pead, eagerly stepped in to help out. He has been working on writing and arranging Christmas music for the group for the past two years. His recent retirement gave him the time to finish the project and he is planning to present it to the choir at their first rehearsal at the Riverside Chapel in Salamanca on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 1:15pm.
Like in the past, the rehearsals will alternate between the 134 Broad Street location in Salamanca and the United Church of Ellicottville, 51 Elizabeth Street. Two concerts will take place on Sunday, December 13. The first at 3:00pm in Salamanca, and the second at 7:00pm at the Holy Name of Mary Church in Ellicottville.
Area adult musicians are invited to join in this year’s group of about 40 singers. There will also be a junior choir for elementary/junior high age children that are interested.
A total of eight rehearsals are planned to master this collection of Lessons and Carols which tell the story of the coming and the birth of Jesus Christ. The origins of the music cover a range of ten centuries (12th-21st) and include pieces for a brass choir, accompaniments for string players, recorder or flute, guitar, piano, organ, harp, and even a tambourine.
Since there are no auditions, those interested are asked to contact one of the committee members listed below with your availability, or just show up at the first rehearsal with your enthusiasm and musicianship ready to serve God and our community this Christmas Season! Committee members are: Ernie Pead 716-392-0045, Nancy Rogan 585-403-1219, Wendy O’Neil Hill 716-397-9454, and Annette Ieda 717-912-3512.