The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale and Chamber Orchestra will hold its holiday concert series, “Christmas Around the World” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Both concerts will be at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang.
Under the direction of Dr. Michael Eglin, the chorale and orchestra will fill your heart with the joy of the holidays and give you time to celebrate family, community, music, love, faith and kindness through song.
“This is a special way to celebrate the holidays in the valley and one not to be missed,” Eglin said. “We chose pieces from around the world including beloved and familiar carols, forgotten classics and new, hauntingly beautiful fare. The selections are purposefully eclectic. Some are traditional, others modern. Some are chants or carols based on specific texts in the Bible, while others celebrate poems or were written for opera.”
The program includes “Christ Church Bells,” an American Colonial folk carol, “Riu, Riu, Chiu,” a Spanish Christmas carol, “African Alleluia,” a rhythmic celebration based on traditional African music, and “Salvation is Created,” a Communion hymn based on a Ukrainian chant melody.
The program also includes more familiar pieces including the beloved “The First Noel,” “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem” and “Carol of the Bells.”
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (65 and over) and youth (18 and under); there is a $2-plus processing fee if purchased online.
“We want everyone in our community to be able to attend this concert so we’ve significantly lowered the prices,” Chorale President Erica Miller said. “We have to cover our costs, e.g., renting the Veterans Building, but our goal is to keep prices down and fill the hall with an audience that goes away touched by the joyful message behind our choral music.”
Tickets may be purchased at The Book Loft, from chorale members, online at www.syvchorale.org, or at the door.
The chorale is a nonprofit organization, entering its 41st year of presenting beautiful choral music in the valley. The chorale includes novice and professional singers from their teens into their eighties, brought together by a love of music and the joy of singing.