Heartland Voices presents its 16th Christmas program

Heartland Voices, an Elgin-based adult choral ensemble, presents its 16th Christmas program at 3 or 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Shepherd of the Prairie Church, 10805 Main St. in Huntley.

The candlelight concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 will include selections that capture the spirit and magic of this most precious and hopeful holiday season.

Selections include the Dale Warland arrangement of the "Wexford Carol," a 12th-century Irish carol most likely of dancing origin, and Rollo Dilworth's "Sistah Mary," one of a very few African-American Christmas spirituals that recounts the birth of Christ from the perspective of a slave. Heartland Voices presentations also will include works by Durufle, Powell, Spencer, Hovland, and Kirkpatrick. The music not only spans the centuries, but the many moods of Christmas.

As they have for 16 years, Heartland Voices will conclude the evening with their signature Christmas piece Donald Fraser's wonderful "This Christmastide."

Heartland Voices 3 p.m. concert in Elgin will feature the Dundee Middle School Bella Voca and Men's Ensemble, under the direction of Mona Roy, and the Dundee-Crown High School Chamber Chorale, under the direction of Lisa Bettcher. Heartland Voices will present an abbreviated version of the candlelight concert, but will still capture the spirit and moods of this wonderful and very special Christmas season. They will present the "Wexford Carol," "Sistah Mary" and "This Christmastide," to name just three of the pieces.

Or come on Sunday to Shepherd of the Prairie when the concert will include the Bell Choir and the combined piece "A German Christmas," five traditional German carols arranged by Margaret R. Tucker. No matter when you choose to come, the experience is one of a kind and a grand way to begin Christmas week.

So join Heartland Voices on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. in the beautifully decorated sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Elgin for a wonderful Christmas experience and drink deeply of the Christmas season. Or join them on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. at Shepherd of the Prairie in Huntley for a holiday experience that is one of a kind.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are $15. The Sunday concert at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church is a free will offering. The 3 p.m. concert tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $5 for children.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website at www.heartlandvoices.org or call Heartland Voices at (847) 429-9486.