"The Sounds of Christmas" rang through The Village Chapel on a recent Sunday evening in a joyous presentation of voice and instruments.

A chamber orchestra, combined with the Chapel's Joyful Choir, children's choirs and guest soloists, under the direction of Chris Watkins, presented a 90-minute festival of readings and music that highlighted the Advent season.

John Shannon, director of music at The Village Chapel for 30 years, said, "When I brought Chris on board as family service musician, this is exactly the type of music and presentation I knew he could do leading the choirs associated with the 9:30 a.m. service to produce. I am very proud of all they have accomplished."

Special guest soloists included Miriam McNeill (mezzo-soprano), former performer and retired educator, who is presently director of music at Raeford Presbyterian Church; Dale Stine (baritone), lead in the Broadway musical "Jekyll and Hyde"; and Katherine Laoski (dramatic soprano), international opera star and professor of voice at Old Dominion University.

Stine began the musical portion of the program with "I Wonder As I Wander," following the first reading, accompanied by harpist Carlota Reyes.

The three joined together for a moving rendition of the Schubert/Riegger version of "Ave Maria," while Lakoski stirred everyone with "O Holy Night."

Dr. John Jacobs, senior pastor, and Dr. Ashley Smith, pastor of families and youth, were the program's narrators, presenting a variety of seasonal readings from the Gospel of John to Annie Glancy Chase's "The Miracle," as well as poems and writings of artists such as Elizabeth Landeweer, Vincent Godfrey Burnes and Gust Klein.

The final number included all combined instruments and voices on Lloyd Larson's arrangement of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

For information about the church, call (910) 295-6003 or email info@tvc pinehurst.com.