Join in Christmas sing-along at Northwest Choral Society’s Dec. 15 concert
The audience attending the Northwest Choral Society’s Dec. 15 concert will easily slide into the Christmas spirit when they join the chorus in the six-carol rendition of Randol Alan Bass’ “Sing We Now of Christmas.” This arrangement, commissioned by the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1999, is designed as a Christmas carol sing-along.
Titled “A Northwest Christmas,” the concert program also includes choral masterworks of the season, as well as familiar carols, and other audience Christmas favorites. Pianist Lori Lyn Mackie will accompany the chorus.
English composer, conductor, editor, arranger and record producer John Rutter has composed and arranged many Christmas carols, and two are performed in this 39th annual Christmas concert, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” the latter which he wrote at the age of 18 while a student at Cambridge.
Also included on the concert program are two compositions from English composer, arranger and teacher, Gustav Holst (1874-1934), “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Christmas Day.”
Other music included in “A Northwest Christmas concert” include “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride” and “See Amid the Winter’s Snow.”
The concert will b at 4 p.m. at St. Raymond de Penafort Church, 301 S. I-Oka in Mt. Prospect.
Tickets are $20 or $15 for students and seniors and can be purchased with cash or check (only) starting an hour prior to the concert at the church, which is located at the corner of Elmhurst Avenue and Lincoln Street.
Northwest Choral Society’s next concert, “Vivaldi: Gloria in D and Bach: Cantata 80,” will be on May 4, 2025 at 4 p.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights. Rehearsals for the next session begins on Feb. 4, 2025.
The concert programs are sponsored in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Founded in 1965, the Northwest Choral Society is a nonprofit organization that promotes and encourages the appreciation, understanding and performance of a wide variety of outstanding choral literature. Its adult membership resides in the greater Chicago area.
The Northwest Choral Society invites experienced singers to audition to join the organization. Basses, tenors, altos and sopranos with previous choral experience and at least 17 years of age can obtain additional information about the Northwest Choral Society at www.nwchoralsociety.org.