(Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the times, which begin a half-hour later than initially reported.)

Vespers is back. After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s event, the Northwest College and Powell High School choirs will return to First United Methodist Church next week to present their annual Vespers concert.

The holiday favorite begins with prelude music by the NWC Brass Ensemble at 6:30 p.m., led by assistant NWC professor Tristan Eggener. The choirs follow at 7 p.m.

First United Methodist Church Pastor Janita Krayniak said the church is excited to again be hosting the event.

“People have been starving for live music for awhile with COVID,” she said, adding that Vespers is “such an integral part of the whole community Christmas season.”

Under the direction of Eric Hagmann at NWC and Rachel Schoessler at PHS, the two choirs will present a program of choral music ranging from holiday favorites to spirituals, including a wide selection of sacred and secular works.

The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are generally encouraged to arrive early, as the church’s pews tend to fill up fast. The doors will open at 6 p.m. First United Methodist Church is located at 137 W. Second St. in Powell.

“We’re going to hold firm to that,” Krayniak laughed of the door opening time, “that way it gives everybody a fair chance rather than people literally camping out.”