Greetings! Can the Christmas season be here already?

I’m happy to share with you a packed schedule full of musical events this month! On Friday, December 11th at 7:00 PM the Charleston Children's Chorus will present its annual December concert (admission free) in our church sanctuary. If you have never heard the CCC before, why not let this 48-voice chorus of Charleston County students in grades 5-10 get you into the Christmas spirit? The program will end with a carol sing and a reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

On Sunday, December 20th at 5:00 PM in the St. John’s sanctuary, the St. John Chorale and St. John’s Youth will present a special evening of Christmas performances. The Chorale will begin with a half-hour long musical program featuring American composer Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, a mid-20th century 3-movement masterpiece, accompanied by Lee Kohlenberg on organ; and other Christmas choral and instrumental works. The St. John’s youth (assisted by the Chorale and friends) will then present the pageant “The Simple Gifts of Christmas.” A reception in the Parish Hall will cap what promises to be a wonderful evening of Christmas warmth and majesty.

Finally, we are once again “pulling out all the stops” for Christmas Eve at St. John’s beginning at 7:30, as the Chorale reprises its performance of Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, the Handbell Choir performs a carol accompanied by Cait Jacob on flute, Lee Kohlenberg and myself play a series of organ/piano duets, and two visiting singers lend well-trained solo voices to the service. It promises to be a very special evening as we celebrate Christ’s birth in song.

Best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season!

In music,
Todd

Music Quotation of the Month:

Let us have music for Christmas… 
Sound the trumpet of joy and rebirth;
Let each of us try, with a song in our hearts,
To bring peace to men on earth.
~~Mildred L. Jarrell