UKIAH, Calif. – The Mendocino College Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble invites the community to its free performance, “Music, Sing on!,” on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

The Mendocino College Center Theatre will come alive under the direction of Janice Hawthorne Timm.

Timm, originally from Montgomery, Alabama has lived in the area since 1987. She has sung with the choir and has often filled in to substitute for Mendocino College’s previous director.

Her local works include Ukiah Players Theatre, SPACE and Mendocino College, where she was music director for “American Idiot” in the spring of 2017.

“Singing in choir, from childhood through high school, has changed my life,” said Timm. “I believe singing together is about the best thing there is for the soul. I direct choirs and teach vocal music for all ages and abilities, because no one is too old or young for singing and music. I think I have the best job in the world.”

Many styles of music will be featured, including; madrigals, German lieder, contemporary classical composers, Broadway and Jazz.

The featured choral masterwork is “Hymn to St. Cecilia” by the 20th century English composer, Benjamin Britten.

Under Timm’s new direction, the show will feature many shorter choral works that are either a capella (unaccompanied) or have only piano accompaniment.

The new Vocal Jazz Ensemble will be singing four jazz standards, two solo pieces will feature Liana Edington and Lindsay Chapman, and Denise Beckler will be joining at the piano.

Mendocino College is located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.