For Immediate Release
Contact: Becky Bailey, bbailey@vocalessence.org, 763.551.9190 (cell 612.309.7149)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 27, 2012) — The holidays in
the Twin Cities would not be complete without the annual VocalEssence Welcome Christmas concerts, taking
place this year at churches in Edina, Minneapolis, Apple Valley and Stillwater
on December 1, 2, 7, 8 & 9, 2012. This year’s concerts will feature the
voices of the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers, chamber orchestra,
and special guest artist, soprano Maria Jette. Philip Brunelle conducts. For
tickets and information, go to vocalessence.org/christmas2012  or call 612-371-5656.

For the first half of the concert, Philip Brunelle has
chosen works by Italian and Italian-American composers, including “The
Shepherd’s Dance” from Gian-Carlo Menotti’s beloved Amahl and the Night Visitors. In honor of Dominick Argento’s 85^th
birthday year, music from his opera The Masque of Angels will be featured,
including an angelic “Gloria.”

The centerpiece of the concert is Ottorino Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity, resplendent with
gorgeous choral harmonies. Charming and delicate, Laud to the Nativity is a beautiful pastoral work depicting the
nativity of Jesus as the shepherds might have seen it. Respighi’s music
hearkens back to more ancient times with touches of madrigal and plainchant. In
addition to the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and a small chamber ensemble,
Maria Jette will sing the role of “The Angel.”

In the second half of the concert, an array of more
familiar and traditional carols will be heard, including such audience
favorites as John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music,” Daniel Kantor’s “Night of
Silence,” and J. David Moore’s arrangement of “Jingle Bells.” In addition, one
or two new carols will be heard for the very first time — the winning carols
selected through the annual Welcome
Christmas Carol Contest, which is co-sponsored by VocalEssence and American
Composers Forum. This year’s contest calls for new carols for chorus and
concert (soprano) flute.

For additional press information, For additional information, contact Becky Bailey, bbailey@vocalessence.org, 763.551.9190 (cell 612.309.7149). Download high-res press photos from our Press Photos page.

Welcome Christmas – Five Performances:

 

Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Colonial Church of Edina, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina

Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 4 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis

Friday, December 7, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley

Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 North 4th Street, Stillwater

Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 4 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis

Tickets:
$20, $30 and $45*
612-371-5656, vocalessence.org

*Service
charges apply. Group and student discounts available.

Welcome Christmas 2012 Repertoire (not in order)

The Shepherd’s Dance from Amahl and the Night Visitors……….. Gian-Carlo
Menotti

Excerpts from The
Masque of Angels……….. Dominick
Argento

Laud to the Nativity……….. Ottorino
Respighi

Intermission

Carol of the Bells……….. Mykola Leontovitch (arr. Wilhousky)

O Holy Night……….. Adolphe
Adam

What Sweeter Music……….. John
Rutter

Jingle Bells……….. J.
David Moore

Thou Shalt Know Him……….. Mark
Sirett

Ave Maria……….. Franz
Biebl

Night of Silence……….. Daniel
Kantor

I Saw Three Ships……….. Mack
Wilberg

The Holly and the Ivy……….. Ola
Gjeilo

Fum, Fum, Fum……….. Conrad
Susa

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day……….. John Gardner