ESCANABA- — The Remnants Barbershop Chorus will be presenting Christmas songs during a special holiday performance Saturday, Dec. 17 in Escanaba. The public is invited to attend the 3 p.m. free event at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 600 S. Lincoln Road.

The Remnants Barbershop Chorus of Delta County is an all-male chorus made up of local residents ranging in age from the 20s into the 90s who enjoy singing for the entertainment of others.

“Because the annual Community Choir Christmas Concert will not be taking place in Escanaba, we decided to offer the public a venue to enjoy a variety of holiday songs performed by local barbershoppers,” said Remnants Director Ed Boehm of Marinette.

In addition to the male barbershoppers, the Menominee River Women’s Chorus will also be performing during the Dec. 17 event, said Boehm, who also directs the all-female group.

The Remnants Barbershop Chorus is a member of the Delta County Michigan Chapter of the International Barbershop Harmony Society, the largest all-male a cappella singing organization in the world and an affiliate member agency of the William Bonifas Arts Center in Escanaba.

Organized barbershop singing began in the region in 1947. The Bay de Noc Barbershop Chorus entertained the community into the 1970s until the group broke up. Years later, former members joined with others to form the Remnants Barbershop Chorus. Following a break due to the COVID pandemic, the barbershoppers recently regrouped to once again perform for the public.

The Remnants sing at local nursing homes and area events including Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Waterfront Art Festival, and the U.P. Honor Flight Dinners. The group practices at the Escanaba Civic Center on Monday evenings at 7 P.M. and welcomes new members.