St. Charles Singers' mix of new, old music to delight audiences

Over the last 24 years, the St. Charles Singers' annual Candlelight Carols concerts have become a Christmastime tradition for hundreds of families throughout the West suburbs and beyond.

To celebrate the group's history, this weekend's performances will be a combination of new pieces in its repertoire, and many traditional holiday carols.

"It's a nice blend of old and new," said St. Charles Singers founder and artistic director Jeffrey Hunt, who compares the pieces in the concert to ornaments on a Christmas tree.

"Each selection has a bit of nostalgia," he explained.

In its 24 years, the 34-member mixed chorus has received international acclaim, and has grown in popularity throughout the Chicago area.

Most recently, the group began performing at St. Michael's Church in Wheaton, in addition to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles.

This year's performance will consist of selections that Hunt pulled out of past programs, including "Myn Lyking" by Richard. R. Terry, with words from a 15th-century English text; and "Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree," by Elizabeth Poston.

New to the ensemble's Christmas repertoire are selected works by various composers, including; German composer Michael Praetorious; William Walton, best-known in the U.S. for his symphonies; and contemporary composers Morten Lauridsen, Karsten Gundermann, and John Rutter.

In addition, the audience will hear traditional favorites including "The Little Drummer Boy," "The First Noel," "Go Tell it on the Mountain," and "Silent Night."

"It's a potpourri of our favorite pieces," explained Hunt. "I really tried to pull out some favorites."

Although, the ensemble performs throughout the year, drawing in about 300 people per performance, Candlelight Carols is its most popular.

"Our biggest audience is at Christmastime," said Hunt.

If you go

What: St. Charles Singers will perform the Candlelight Carols concerts

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Michael's Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave. in Wheaton, and again at 7 p.m. at Baker Memorial in St. Charles.

Tickets: $35 for premium seating, $25 for general admission, and $10 for students and seniors.

Info: 630) 513-5272, or visit www.stcharlessingers.com.