St. Charles Singers to perform concert at Wheaton church

Over the last 24 years, the St. Charles Singers' annual "Candlelight Carols" concert has become a Christmastime tradition for hundreds of families throughout the Western suburbs and beyond.

To celebrate its history, this weekend's performances will be a combination of new pieces in addition to 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 said.

Since its founding, 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 Hunt pulled out of his 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.

The audience also will hear traditional favorites such as "The Little Drummer Boy," "The First Noel," "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and "Silent Night."

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

Although, the ensemble performs throughout the year, drawing in approximately 300 people per concert, "Candlelight Carols" is its most popular.

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

If you go

What: St. Charles Singers performs "Candlelight Carols"

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

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

Details: 630) 513-5272 or www.stcharlessingers.com