Four Performances

Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 7:30-9:30 PM – Completed
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN

Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 4-6 PM – Completed
Plymouth Congregational Church
1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Friday, December 13, 2019 from 7:30-9:30 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Sunday, December 15, 2019 from 4-6 PM
Roseville Lutheran Church
1215 Roselawn Ave. West, Roseville, MN

God Jul! Celebrate a Nordic Christmas with carols from Sweden, Finland, and Norway, including the world premiere of Nordic Christmas—a suite of Norwegian carols arranged by Norway’s hot young composer, Kim André Arnesen—commissioned in honor of the 125th anniversary of Sons of Norway. Traverse the fjords and hear arrangements of carols you know, and fall in love with two new carols featuring violin as the Welcome Christmas Carol Contest celebrates its 22nd anniversary.

Tickets are also  available as part of a 2019-20 Concert Series Subscription.

Program

• Nordic Christmas by Kim André Arneson
• Gods Son är född by Otto Olsson
• Stephen was a stable boy by Jaakko Mäntyjärvi
• Det är en ros utsprungen by Jan Sandström
• Snow by Sigurd Lie
• A Christmas Garland arranged by Conrad Susa (with audience singing)
• In Silent Night by Mitchell Southall
• O Bethlehem by Stephen Paulus
• Unto Us a Boy is Born by Alice Parker
• In Bethlehem Tonight by Jocelyn Hagen
• Two new carol contest winners – SATB with violin

There will be a 20 minute intermission at this performance.

Performers

• VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
• Chamber instrumental ensemble
• Philip Brunelle, conductor
• G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor

Three Things to Know

• In 2016, Kim André Arneson’s Cradle Hymn was performed at the White House for President Obama.
• Since the Welcome Christmas Carol Contest began 21 years ago, VocalEssence has premiered 42 new carols at our Christmas concerts.
• Every Welcome Christmas concert includes an audience sing of a familiar carol—get ready to sing your heart out!

Listen