Candlelight, holiday music at this weekend's Heartland Voices concerts

Heartland Voices, an Elgin-based adult choral ensemble, presents its 17th season Christmas program, "This Christmastide: Fa La La La La," this weekend.

Two concerts will be performed Saturday, Dec. 19, at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin, followed on Sunday, Dec. 20, by a concert at Shepherd of the Prairie Church, 10805 Main St. in Huntley.

The 3 p.m. Saturday concert also will feature the Dundee Middle School Bella Voca and the Men's Ensemble under the direction of Mona Roy. Heartland Voices will present an abbreviated version of the candlelight concert, but will still capture the spirit and moods of this special Christmas season. Heartland Voices will join the children in singing "O Holy Night."

The candlelight concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday will include selections that capture the spirit and magic of this most precious and hopeful of holiday seasons. Selections include Ola Gjeilo's "Ubi Caritas" ("Sacred Heart"), Healy Willan's "Hodie Christus Natus Est" ("Today Christ is Born), "The Flower of Jesse," a 15th-century tune arranged by Donald McCullough, Pietro Yon's "Gesu' Bambino" and more. This music not only spans the centuries, but the many moods of Christmas. And as they have for 17 years, Heartland Voices will conclude the evening with its signature Christmas piece Donald Fraser's wonderful "This Christmastide." Many of the pieces will be accompanied by strings, harp, bells and organ.

Or attend the 4 p.m. Sunday concert at Shepherd of the Prairie which also will include the Bell Choir. The program will be the same as Saturday night.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are $18, $15 for seniors. The Sunday concert at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church is a freewill offering. The 3 p.m. concert tickets are $10, $8 for students and seniors and $5 for children. To purchase tickets, visit www.heartlandvoices.org or call Heartland Voices at (847) 429-9486.