Related performance
- Artist: Sean Fleming
- Date: 12/14/19
- Time: 3:00pm
- Venue: Bowdoin College Chapel
- City: Brunswick
- Address: 5000 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011
- Venue phone: (207) 798-4141
- Country: United States
- Admission: $20, students free
- Age restrictions: All Ages
- More information
- Notes: St. Cecilia Chamber Choir will present its annual Lessons and Carols Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Bowdoin College Chapel. Linda Blanchard is St. Cecilia’s artistic director and conductor, assisted by organist and pianist Sean Fleming. There will be just one concert, so advance tickets or reservations are strongly encouraged for this popular event. A perky setting of the ancient text “Hodie Christus natus est” by the French composer Francis Poulenc will be featured. With his four Christmas motets of which “Hodie” is a part, Poulenc returned to a traditional form popular during the Renaissance. St. Cecilia will also perform several perennially-popular pieces by English composer John Rutter, including “Go, Tell It On The Mountain” and the “Huron Carol.” Two rarely-heard Christmas pieces by Norman Dello Joio will be featured: “A Christmas Carol” and Lullaby for the Christ Child.” A new setting for piano, string quartet, and chorus by Ola Gjeilo of Christina Rossetti’s lovely poem “The Rose” will be a highlight. A setting of the Magnificat written for the Choir by Richard Francis will be sung, as well as the Maine premiere of Joey Hoelscher “Wexford Carol.” A professional string quartet will accompany the group on select pieces. As a special treat, Eric Whitacre’s “Glow,” written for the “World of Color – Winter Dreams” show which premiered at Disney California Adventure Park in California, will be performed. With audience sing-along caroling also, this concert is sure to be a treat for the whole family. For 24 years St. Cecilia Chamber Choir has been providing challenging musical opportunities and music scholarships for gifted local youth. Since the Choir’s inception, over 25 gifted young students have sung with us, many continuing to study and perform music in college and beyond. Advance tickets or reservations are strongly encouraged for this popular event. Tickets are $20 for adults, free for students. Purchase them in November at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop & Cafe (Main Street), Damariscotta or online at ceciliachoir.org. For more information, visit ceciliachoir.org or call 207-380-2768.