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VocalEssence Welcome Christmas concert to feature Stephen Paulus cantata

October 28, 2011
VocalEssence

VocalEssence's Welcome Christmas concert features the
classic Christmas cantata, So Hallow’d Is the Time by Stephen Paulus,
carols from France, and the winners of the annual Welcome Christmas
Carol Contest.



The Welcome Christmas concerts feature the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers and Chamber orchestra, Philip Brunelle, conductor.



This year's concert has a special focus
on French Christmas Carols.



There will be five performances of Welcome Christmas at various area
churches in the first two weeks of December (see box at left). Tickets
($10-$40, service charges apply) are available by calling 612-371-5656
or by visiting www.vocalessence.org. Student and group discounts are
available.



A bouquet of French carols will add a certain je ne sais quoi to the
traditional VocalEssence Christmas concerts. The 32-voice Ensemble
Singers will be performing favorites such as O Holy Night, Carol of
the Birds, Angels We Have Heard on High and Bring a Torch, Jeannette,
Isabella in their original French.



Every year since 1998, VocalEssence and American Composers Forum have
co-sponsored a contest for composers to write new Christmas carols.
This year’s contest called for new carols for men’s voices accompanied
by English horn. The winning carols, by James Kallembach (Chicago, IL)
and Robert Sieving (St. Paul, MN), will be premiered at Welcome
Christmas.



A highlight of the concert will be the performance of the classic
Christmas cantata So Hallow’d Is the Time by Stephen Paulus. Scored
for mixed chorus with string orchestra, it will feature boy soprano,
soprano, tenor and baritone soloists. The texts are drawn from English
poets of the 17th and 18th centuries, including William Shakespeare,
John Donne, Robert Southwell and John Milton.



Welcome Christmas will be recorded for broadcast in 2012 on Classical
Minnesota Public Radio (regional) and American Public Media
(national).



Performances take place:



Saturday, December 3, 2011, 7:30 pm

Colonial Church of Edina

6200 Colonial Way, Edina



Sunday, December 4, 2011, 4 pm

Plymouth Congregational Church

1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis



Friday, December 9, 2011, 7:30 pm

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church

12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley



Saturday, December 10, 2011, 7:30 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church

115 North 4th Street, Stillwater



Sunday, December 11, 2011, 4 pm

Plymouth Congregational Church

1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis



Tickets: $10-$40 (Service charges may apply. Student tickets are half
price. Group discounts are available.) To order, call 612/371-5656
(800-292-4141) or purchase online at www.vocalessence.org.