More than 225 people filled the St. Isidore’s chapel in Manhattan on December 5 for a Christmas Concert by the St. Isidore’s Choir. The 60-member choir recently recorded a CD of Christmas music that will be available in March.

“A Christmas concert during Advent is pretty different for us, but Frank (Schmeidler) had been approached for many years about recording a Christmas CD, and the choir wanted to share these songs with everyone,” said Father Keith Weber, chaplain of St. Isidore’s.

The 15-song concert featured Christmas favorites such as “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night.” The concert also included the title song for the CD “Today Our Savior Is Born,” which was composed by St. Isidore’s liturgical director Frank Schmeidler.

Schmeidler said creating a recording of Christmas music was no easy task.

“I admire and thank the choir members for the many, many hours of time they have given and the dedication they have shown throughout the semester,” Schmeidler said. “Ever since we recorded the first choir CD, many people have asked when we would record a Christmas CD. I had always answered that it would be impossible to do one, because the students are not here for Christmas, and had not sung any of the music. For the choir members to have given all the extra time and effort it took to make the CD possible is truly amazing to me.”

Chris O’Halloran, a junior in mechanical engineering from Hesston and a member of the choir, said he enjoyed working with the other members of the choir and hoped the concert helped spread the love of Christ during the holiday season.

“I really hope that we were able to warm the hearts of everyone in the audience. Hopefully everyone heard a song or two that can help them open their hearts and prepare during this Advent season,” O’Halloran said.

Kari Nap, a permanent community member and 10-year choir member, said being in the choir is her escape from everyday life.

“I love to sing with the choir. The music is amazing, and Frank is amazing, too. We’ve grown so much through the recording process – we’ve gotten so much better. And these are my favorite songs to sing, so it made it easy to practice,” Nap said.

The songs were recorded in November. The new CD, which is the fourth recorded by the choir, is a fundraiser for the choir’s trip to Italy in May 2010. The trip will offer the opportunity for the choir to sing at many sites around Italy including Rome.

After the concert concluded, Father Weber thanked the choir for the beautiful music they shared.

“The choir has spent a lot of time and put a lot of effort into this, not to mention what they do every Sunday – leading us to worship through song,” Father Weber said.

A reception followed the concert in Newman Hall, and attendees were able to place advanced orders for the CD. By the end of the evening, nearly 200 CDs had been ordered. To order a CD, please contact St. Isidore’s at 785-539-7496.