Jingle All the Way Local Harmonies for the Holidays

December 1, 2024

Article by Jessica Renstrom

You aren't alone if you find yourself humming “Jingle Bells” behind the steering wheel or belting out “O Holy Night” in the shower. Holiday music is full of beloved classics and timeless carols that can feel nostalgic, heartwarming, and just plain fun. If you can’t get enough of Christmas music, you won’t want to miss the many talented musicians performing around Billings this month. Here’s a snippet of what you can find as you go “Dashing Through the Snow” this Holiday season.

Photo by Arianna Skoog

BIG SKY CHORUS

Barbershop music, an American style of acapella harmony, has declined in popularity in recent years, but the members of the Big Sky Chorus are keeping barbershop alive and well in Billings. Founded in 1955, the Big Sky Chorus performs many traditional barbershop tunes and more contemporary music rewritten in the barbershop format, like “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” and familiar tunes from the movie Toy Story.

“Our mission is to share barbershop and keep that type of music going,” says Dana Skoog, who’s been a chorus member for thirteen years. “We always enjoy what we’re doing and make it fun.”

The Big Sky Chorus will perform on December 7 at the Billings Public Library at 11:00 a.m. and provide a free concert for the public on December 8 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Interested in joining the group? Come check out a rehearsal! The group practices every Tuesday at 7 pm at St. Bernard’s Church in the Heights, but newcomers are asked to check in first to avoid confusion. For more information, visit: bigskychorus.org/

Photo courtesy of Aurora String Quartet

AURORA STRING QUARTET

This new all-female string quartet is breaking into the Billings’ music scene, bringing dynamic performances and a diverse repertoire. The Aurora String Quartet consists of four members who have individually played together in various settings but recently came together to formally establish the group. Kassidy Conlon, cellist, and quartet member, describes their rehearsals as a blend of professionalism and friendship, filled with lively conversations and a shared passion for music.

Performing a range of genres beyond classical music, the quartet aims to appeal to diverse audiences. “It’s been a joy to play across genres and play music that appeals to a variety of people. It’s also been fun to introduce people to classical music,” remarks Kassidy. The quartet enjoys playing at various venues and in different musical styles. One of the group’s favorite arrangements is an energetic rendition of "Paint it Black," often used as a finale in their performances.

To hear the Aurora String Quartet’s beautiful music in person, you can find them at Cellar8 Wine Bar on Saturday, December 7, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. For more information, visit: asqbillings.com/

Photo courtesy of Con Spirito

Con Spirito

The all-woman singing group Con Spirito has been performing captivating melodies in Billings for over 20 years. With eleven singers and accompanists, the group continually expands its repertoire and participates in various outreach events, including collaborations with the symphony and school programs.

Known for their diverse and challenging music arrangements tailored for women's voices, Con Spirito's performances blend innovative and traditional pieces. The members of Con Spirito are highly involved in the community, with many serving as voice teachers, soloists, educators, and members of the Symphony Chorale. “There’s wonderful camaraderie with the women who participate,” states member Nancy Downing. “We rehearse year-round, and we sure do have a fun time.”

The group’s upcoming December performance will focus on Christmas music, featuring a mix of traditional carols and unique arrangements, including an Algerian Christmas carol. The performance will be on Sunday, December 8, at St. Pius Church at 5:00 pm , and like their other concerts, will be free to the public.

For updates and further information, follow Con Spirito on Facebook: facebook.com/BillingsConSpirito

Photo courtesy of Elana Hayden

Elana Hayden

Since moving to Montana two years ago, singer/songwriter Elana Hayden has enjoyed the state’s vibrant music scene. “I absolutely love it and am having a fabulous time. It’s been fun to explore and meet the abundance of talented musicians here,” states Elana. Elana’s experience in the music industry is impressive: she’s written, recorded, and produced a variety of songs, jingles, and voiceovers. As a performer, she’s appeared and/or recorded with accomplished musicians, including Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin) and Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel). With a background in music and theater, Elana transitioned from running a music school in New York to focusing on music full-time upon moving to Montana.

Elana sings a wide range of genres, contributing to her success as a vocalist. Whether singing pop, country, soul, or rock, Elana's live shows promise a mix of tunes that appeal to a variety of audiences. Drawing inspiration from Great American Songbook standards, she particularly enjoys performing blues and jazz, adding her own twist to holiday tunes like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Let It Snow."

You can hear these renditions of holiday favorites yourself during Elana’s upcoming December performances: December 6 at the YesterYears Antique Mall, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and with a Trio on December 20 at The Windmill & Bar 51, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. For more information, visit: elanahayden.com

Photo courtesy of Cimarron Band

Cimarron Band

If you’re in the mood to dance, you won’t want to miss the Cimarron Band. This lively group was originally formed by lead singer and guitarist Andy Wilson in 1980 as a two-piece ensemble. Over the years, the band has had various members come and go, but the three full-time members of the group today aren’t just like family; they are family. Andy’s wife, Laura, joined the band in 1984, playing left-handed bass and right-handed keyboard. Nicole (Andy & Laura’s daughter) has joined with vocals, keyboard, fiddle, and mandolin for ten years. Even Nicole’s 4-year-old daughter performs, singing her own rendition of "You Are My Sunshine."

The Cimarron Band has an impressive repertoire, which includes a mix of country, rock, and 50s/60s music. Andy Wilson says, "We do a big mixture of music and know probably 2500 songs. We enjoy keeping people entertained with lots of good dance music." The band's unique style includes tight three-part harmonies and even yodeling, with Laura hailed as the fastest yodeler in the northwestern United States.

The Cimarron Band has several performances this month, including a 1950s/60s Dance at the Moose Lodge on Sunday, December 1, from 1:30 to 5:00 pm and a Soda Pop Dance on Thursday, December 19, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Westpark Village. For more information, visit: cimarronband.com

Originally printed in the December 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

Jessica Renstrom

Jessica is a Billings local with a background in marketing and a degree in Communications. She loves being a mom and soaking up time with her young children, especially during the holidays! You can catch her feeling festive and listening to Christmas music basically every day in December.

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