It’s that time of year again!

We are heading into our final preparations for the December 5th program. 
 
For Christmas, I always try to find material that is familiar to all audiences, but I also like to uncover those hidden gems that are accessible, fun to hear, and could or should be part of the mainstream repertoire.

Expect both at our concert on December 5th.  Here are some of the selections we’ll be performing:

Gerald Near’s Cum Novo Cantico for organ and chorus. This piece is in three movements and uses popular carol tunes and Gregorian Chants of the season as its structure. The organ part is virtuosic, but still compliments the chorus, which, on occasion will perform the tunes a cappella and in different permutations.

“Bird’s Noel” by Katherine K. Davis. Davis is best remembered for her composition “The Carol of the Drum,” commonly referred to as “The Little Drummer Boy.” A couple of seasons ago, we performed her Christmas cantata This is Noel, which featured the Lyons family Kim, tenor; Susie, soprano; and their daughter Abby on oboe. 

You’ll hear familiar carols too. Like the Shaw/Parker “Fum Fum, Fum,” Kinsman’s “Pat-A-Pan,” Mack Wilberg’s “The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy,” and a Christmas spiritual, “Rockin’ Jerusalem,” by John W. Work III.

A few other fun selections will round out the program. There might even be a chance for the audience to join in at one point. What a great way to get in the spirit of the season!

I look forward to seeing you there.