Festival Chorale: Voices of the Season
Celebrate the season with the glorious sound of 30 voices in the beautiful sanctuary of Mendocino Presbyterian Church as the Festival Chorale brings together centuries of music in a festive program that ranges from the radiant Renaissance polyphony of William Byrd to the shimmering harmonies of Eric Whitacre, with beloved carols, spirited seasonal songs, and a few delightful surprises along the way.
At the heart of the program is Ralph Vaughan Williams’s magnificent Fantasia on Christmas Carols, a sweeping, deeply moving celebration of English carols. When the Chorale first performed it in 2023, there were just ten singers. This year, 30 voices will fill the sanctuary—making the return of this special work a celebration of how the Chorale itself has grown.
Come hear Gabriel’s Message, Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, Good People All, This Christmastide, Let It Snow!, Auld Lang Syne, and much more, in an afternoon designed to lift the spirits and welcome the season.
Following each performance, join the singers next door for a convivial reception with cider and cookies—the perfect way to continue the celebration.
Hodie – J. Edmund Hughes & Brian Galante
While Shepherd’s Watch Their Flocks By Night – arr. Craig Courtney
Beata es Virgo Maria – William Byrd
Good People All, This Christmastide – arr. Frank Ferko
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol – John Rutter
Gabriel’s Message – arr. Edgar Pettman
Fantasia on Christmas Carols – Ralph Vaughan Williams
— I N T E R M I S S I O N —
Caroling, Caroling – Albert Burt
The Star Carol – Albert Burt
Hail Christmas Day – Abbie Betinis
Welcome, Yule! – C. Hubert Parry
What Cheer! – William Walton
Glow – Eric Whitacre
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – arr. Mark Hayes
Auld Lang Syne – Dan Forrest
Festival Chorale members are:
- Soprano: Claire Armstrong, Barbara Barkovich, Safari Dushime, Cynthia Frank, Rachel Lahn, Katharine O’Shea, Linda Perry, Kathleen Rzeplinski, Raquel Taylor, Laura Vague
- Alto: Cathy Boxell, Jo Britton, Ann Early, Deborah Farmar, Evelyn Harris, Cathy Jordan, Bessy Krauss, Lisa Phillips
- Tenor: Ann Cole, Kom Dixon, Pamela Hudson, John Miller, Ernest Witt
- Bass: James Blanton, Alexander Brittain, Paul Friesen, Jeff Grant, Jason Kirkman, Randy Knutson, Kelly Patterson
Matthew Evans, Chorale Director; Robin Knutson, Accompanist
Gabriel Cohen, vocal soloist; Mindy Rosenfeld, flute; Marcia Sloane, cello.
Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6, at 3:00 PM.
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The Mendocino Music Festival Chorale was formed in 2018 as an offshoot of the much larger Festival Chorus, whose members were invited to audition. The work has been ongoing, even throughout the pandemic, creating heart-warming and memorable concerts. If you’d like to support this excellent singing, please consider joining the Friends of the Chorale.
Festival Artistic Director Allan Pollack: “I’ve been touched by the dedication of the members of the Festival Chorus, and so have wanted to create an opportunity for people who are ready to take their choral singing to the next level.”