Christmas concert to feature 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo' Dec. 15
On Sunday, Dec. 15, the community is invited to a free afternoon concert of inspirational Christmas music at 3 p.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 27 S. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora.
The combined choirs from St. Mark's and Our Savior Lutheran churches, under the direction of Kristin Young, join the Fermi Community Orchestra, under the direction of Andrea LaFranzo, in a program of joyful Christmas music.
It will feature "Gloria" by Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi; "O Holy Night" by 19th-century French composer Adolphe Adam and arranged by Calvin Custer; and "A Christmas Festival" by the 20th-century American composer Leroy Anderson.
There are hundreds of musical settings of the ancient text "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," which echoes the angels' announcement to the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, but Vivaldi's setting is one of sacred music's most uplifting choral works. Though composed around 1715, the manuscript went undiscovered until late 1920 and was not performed until 1939, in Siena, Italy.
The featured soloists for this performance are sopranos Jessica Pouranfar and Pamela Hart, and mezzo-soprano Victoria Linich. The concert also will include a beautiful orchestral setting of "O Holy Night" and a delightful Christmas carol medley, where the audience can join in the singing of familiar carols with the choir and orchestra.
Admission is free. A freewill offering will help sustain the nonprofit music groups.
Parking is available in the St. Mark's Lutheran Church parking lot adjacent to the church on Edgelawn Drive, and in the adjacent District 129 parking lot off Downer.
The choirs are directed by Kristin Young, director of worship and the arts at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Aurora. The singers include choir members from St. Mark's Lion's Voice Choir, choir members from Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora, and singing friends who enjoy preparing and sharing sacred choral music.
The Fermi Community Orchestra is a dedicated and supportive group of adult musicians who love to play, explore and learn great works of music together. This orchestra was founded with the purpose of making ensemble playing accessible to musicians of all levels, and encourages adult students and amateur musicians to continue their musical journey.
For information, call Kristin Young at (630) 897-6891 or email kyoung@stmarksaurora.net.