When ENMU’s choirs treat our community to regular free performances, you may wonder why you should pay to hear them Saturday night at Marshall Auditorium as part of Clovis Community College’s Cultural Arts Series.

Consider this.

The Cultural Arts Series brings terrific entertainment from around the world to our side of New Mexico, but this is the first time I can remember that local talent has been featured.

And what talent. The 100-plus members of the combined choirs (University Singers, Chamber Singers and Swanee Singers) make glorious music. They’ve prepared an extensive program that will include the music they performed last weekend at ENMU’s annual holiday concerts, plus much, much more.

ENMU choir director Jason Paulk and his accompanist wife, Kayla Paulk, also serve as director of music and organist, respectively, at Kingswood Methodist Church in Clovis, giving them “feet in both communities,” Kayla says, and making the opportunity to bring a full-length concert to the Marshall stage that much more appealing.

Proceeds from the concert will help fund the choirs’ trip to Italy in May.

I know one local businessman who is buying tickets as holiday gifts for his clients. What a perfect present — calorie-free, the perfect size, never needs to be dusted — a splendid night of seasonal music from our very own first-class singers.

Betty Williamson promises to restrict her singing to her shower and her car. You may reach her at pepnm@hotmail.com.