Christmas in Song

Hear and sing traditional music of the season when Westmont’s choral groups and instrumental ensembles present their holiday concert “Christ, the Prince of Peace,” 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Santa Barbara. Admission is free, although a donation will be requested.

Performing will be the Westmont College Choir and Chamber Singers, directed by Steven R. Hodson; Vox Lumina Women’s Chorale, directed by Laura Brinton; Westmont Chamber Orchestra, directed by Emily Sommermann; and Westmont Wind Ensemble of 23 wind and percussion instruments, directed by Ron McCarley.

Featured is the “Song of Zachariah,” a new choral-orchestral work composed for this event by Westmont music professor and composer Steve Butler. Combined choirs and full orchestra will present “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” from Handel’s “Messiah,” as well as other choral pieces. The audience is invited to join in sing-a-long carols accompanied by orchestra and the First Presbyterian Church organ, played by the church’s organist and choir director, Nelson Huber.

The College Choir's music will include “Wana Baraka,” a Kenyan religious song arranged by Shawn Kirchner; “Here We Come A-caroling,” creatively set by Brant Adams. “Nunc Dimittis” (Lord, not lettest thou thy servant depart in peace) from Herbert Howells’ “Magnificat” will close the concert.

The Chamber Singers will present “Noel Ayisyen,” a Haitian Creole carol; “Peace Came To Earth” by K. Lee Scott, which will include horn solo and audience participation on the final verse; “How Still He Rests,” a Christ-child lullaby by Brent Pierce, will feature soprano and oboe solos; and “Carol of the Bells” by Leontovich.

The Vox Lumina Women’s Chorale will sing traditional Christmas carols including “There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue” for oboe and piano and the English carol “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,” which speaks of Jesus calling his true love (humanity) into the dance of life in Heaven with God.

The Chamber Orchestra will present a short concerto by Antonio Vivaldi, Op. 51. no. 4, in G Major for strings and cembalo. This work, nicknamed “Alla Rustica,” is in three brief movements: Presto-Adagio-Allegro.

The Wind Ensemble will feature a modern “Christmas Chorale Prelude: So Pure the Star” by Vincent Persichetti.  Pleasant yet sophisticated, this musical reflection on the beauty of the incarnation of the Prince of Peace will be performed by an ensemble of 23 wind and percussion instruments.

First Presbyterian Church is at the corner of State and Constance streets.

For more information, call the music department at (805) 565-6040.