Music has a unique way of making the holidays memorable. In different settings and with various artists, the holiday season comes alive with a chorus of songs new and old. Let's explore how different individuals and groups are embracing the holiday spirit through music.

Discover the Magic of Holiday Music

Community Theatre and Lizzie Rossow

Lizzie Rossow seamlessly blends her private photography business with a grueling community theatre lifestyle. She is gearing up for eight shows in the cast of the Merely Players Community Theatre's upcoming production of "Miracle on 34th Street." The opening night of this holiday classic is 7 p.m. Friday at the Lincoln Community Center in Mankato. The company's website describes the magic of the season coming to life as their cast rehearses tirelessly. Two weekends of shows include Friday and Saturday evening performances, as well as 2:30 p.m. afternoon matinees on both Saturdays and Sundays. Rossow also serves as a vocal teacher at the Southern Minnesota School of Music and recently led caroling fun throughout the Mankato area.

Veteran Choral Director Emily Bruflat

Emily Bruflat, a self-proclaimed "professional church musician for 18 years" with a master's degree in Sacred Music from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, felt something was missing when a longtime St. Peter Choral Society ended. She wanted to broaden her choral experience beyond the church and decided to revitalize a community choir. After a failed career move, she checked in with former choral leader Annette Meeks and partnered with Tami Skinner from St. Peter Community Education. Bruflat has pitched a Jan. 21 start for evening rehearsals and already has ten people expressing interest, with three more likely. She hopes to form a four-part choir of 18 to 20, but currently, it's primarily sopranos and altos signed up. She is focused on the younger generations, believing music can build life-long relationships and provide a restorative space. Interested individuals can contact St. Peter Community Education's website or reach out to Bruflat.

YouTube Musician Zachary Scot Johnson

Zachary Scot Johnson, a former St. Peter resident now in St. Paul, has scheduled three regional library shows thanks to a grant through the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative. His one-man show on Saturday was nearly matched by audience size, and his hour-long holiday offering drew applause. He has been doing a song-a-day for thirteen years and is targeting 10,000. His unique project even prompted veteran Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan to pay for his nine-day visit to Ireland. He has also partnered with Peter Yarrow of the 1960s folk trio. Moving to the Twin Cities opened doors to metro venues, sharing the stage with artists like Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega. He is not shy about taking on corporate gigs or performing in remote places like the Mapleton library. His 4,500th straight day of songs is likely around New Year's Eve, and he will be back in the region on Saturday, Dec. 14, for shows at the Lake Crystal Public Library and the Blue Earth County Library in Mankato.

Mankato's Premier Chamber Choir Musicorum

Musicorum, billed as "Mankato's premier chamber choir," will perform a 6:30 p.m. concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato on Dec. 14. Currently, with a 38-member four-part choir, they only perform two concerts annually, the second scheduled for April 12. This concert is sure to be a highlight of the holiday season.