Chorus Austin ushers in the holiday season with two community-favorite traditions: the participatory Sing-It-Yourself Messiah on Dec. 7 and the luminous choral concert On a Winter’s Eve: Peace on Dec. 13.
At 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, music lovers are invited to lift their voices alongside the Chorus Austin Symphonic Chorus and an orchestra of musicians from the Austin Symphony Orchestra in Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive. The performance includes beloved choruses and solos, a short intermission and a brief introduction to the work’s history. Attendees should bring their own vocal score or order one in advance. A limited number of scores will be available for use that evening.
The celebration continues the following weekend with On a Winter’s Eve: Peace, performed by the Chorus Austin Combined Chorus and guest musicians on harp and organ at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 606 W. 15th Street. The program, filled with music that reflects hope and stillness amid the winter season, will be presented at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
The program for On a Winter’s Eve features Gerald Finzi’s ‘In Terra Pax’ alongside selections from Benjamin Britten’s beloved ‘A Ceremony of Carols’, and ‘One By One’, Diane Whyte Clayton’s joyful gospel work commissioned by Chorus Austin. Audiences will also hear stunning a cappella selections from the chamber ensemble, including Eric Whitacre’s setting of “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” and Ola Gjeilo’s radiant arrangement of “The First Nowell.” Beloved carols, both timeless and newly imagined, will be woven throughout, as well as new music written especially for the season, culminating in the world premiere of ‘On a Winter’s Eve’, with music and text by Artistic Director Ryan Heller.
“These concerts are two luminous pathways into the heart of the season,” Heller said. “Sing your heart out with Handel’s Messiah or lose yourself in the beauty and wonder of ‘On a Winter’s Eve: Peace’—both capture the spirit of connection, joy, and beauty that makes this time of year truly magical.”
Chorus Austin will also appear with the Austin Symphony Orchestra in its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 2 at Riverbend Centre for the Arts.
A rich tradition of great choral music and modern musical innovations mark Chorus Austin, a non-profit community- based organization dedicated to bringing great choral works to Austin and the Central Texas area. Under the Chorus Austin umbrella are four ensembles: The Symphonic Chorus, the Chamber Ensemble and the Women’s Chorus led by Artistic Director and Conductor Ryan Heller. Our newly formed Outreach Chorus ‘Connections’ is led by Assistant Conductor Lilly Boessen. Each group offers a different concert experience for both singers and audiences.
