Master Chorale Planning

Holiday Prelude Concert

BETHEL — The Connecticut Master Chorale, under the direction of Tina Johns Heidrich, will present its annual Holiday Prelude concert on Sunday, November 23, at 3 pm, at St Mary Church.

Heralding in the holiday season, the Chorale will perform a variety of festive selections that include spirituals, lullabies, multi-cultural numbers and other seasonal songs. A Christmas processional, “Carol to the King” by Mack Wilberg, will open the program, which will also include “Mighty Fortress” by Mark Hayes, John Rutter’s tranquil lullaby “Dormi, Jesu,” and the modern classic “Blue Christmas.”

Steel drums, which are back by popular demand, will accompany selections from Glenn McClure’s new “A Caribbean Christmas Mass.” McClure’s compositions have previously been described by music critics as the “hit of the Holiday Prelude Concert.”

The program will also feature “Praeludium Noël (Christmas Prelude)” by Randol Bass. This medley highlights colorful lesser-known carols beginning with “Masters in This Hall” and ending with a glorious rendition of “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”

The concert will conclude with the rousing and infectious gospel number “That Little Baby!” by Diane Wilkinson.

The Chorale will be accompanied by the Connecticut Master Chorale Holiday Brass and Joseph Jacovino, Jr. on piano.

The Connecticut Master Chorale is an ensemble of 55 vocalists in western Connecticut celebrating its tenth year. In addition to regular three concert season, the chorale has performed by invitation at the White House, Carnegie Hall (three times), Madison Square Garden and West Point Military Academy. They have been invited and will participate in the US premiere of Karl Jenkins’ new Stabat Mater at Lincoln Center in January 2009.

Newtown residents in the Chorale are Judy Bolduc, Ginnie Carey, Lisa Cedergren, David Jurman, Karen Orzechowski, Nancy Raymond, Pastor Greg Wismar, and Dan Yee.

Tickets for Holiday Prelude Concert are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

St Mary Church is at 26 Dodgingtown Road (Route 302) in Bethel. Additional parking for the Holiday Prelude Concert is available in the upper parking lot of Bethel High School with a free shuttle bus to and from the concert. Doors will open at 2:15.

Call 743-0473 or visit CMChorale.org for additional information.