The voices of Dr. Stanley Workman and Faith Esham will vibrate the house of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church later this month, spreading the joy of the season and raising funds for Notre Dame Schools.

Esham, an acclaimed soprano, is a Grammy Award-winning artist who has performed on many famous stages. She is a professor with Princeton and teaches in colleges all over New York City. Esham currently lives in New York, but is native to Portsmouth and enjoys returning to give back.

Dr. Workman, a powerful tenor, is a professor at Shawnee State University. He also directs the Southern Ohio Light Opera and several other groups in the area. Workman’s talent has taken him to places all over the world to perform.

This is the third benefit concert that Dr. Workman and Esham have worked on for Notre Dame.

“Notre Dame Schools is wonderful and I feel like it is a real privilege to be asked to be a part of this function,” Workman said.

Previously, Dr. Workman was the pianist for the performance, while Esham performed with native John Burton. Burton had prior commitments this season, so Dr Workman stepped up. Justin Wiget will be the pianist in Dr. Workman’s place this year.

Dr. Workman said that Holy Redeemer Choir will also be performing, singing several anthems in-between the evening’s solos.

The evening is split into two halves. The musicians will be covering new and old, according to Dr. Workman.

“It is going to be completely Christmas-themed, of course,” Workman explained. “We will start the night with more classical vocal numbers and then move onto some lighter songs for the second half.”

Each concert has been held immediately following Christmas, which Dr. Workman says he feels is important.

“In a society where the Christmas tree is sometimes put away on Christmas Day, one way of sustaining the holiday is by holding this performance,” Workman said. “Christmas, traditionally, is supposed to last until at least January 6. Too often, some are ready to be done with Christmas on Christmas Day, but I think the most joy is often found the days following.”

Friends of Notre Dame will proudly present Sounds of the Season on December 28 at 7 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. This event is open to the community, free of charge, with the option of giving an offering to support Notre Dame Schools.

“It has always been very positive. The audience is always appreciative of it,” Workman says. “It has been a joyful thing.”