ORCHARD PARK CHORALE PRESENTS
Warm Hearts and Icicles
The Orchard Park Chorale invites you to attend this season’s Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 18th, 7 P.M. at the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 4369 S Buffalo Street, Orchard Park. Our multi-community, multi- generational chorus will be joined by guest soloists and musicians throughout the evening, adding colorful layers of festive ornamentation to our performance. The Chorale will present a wide sampling of holiday music, ranging from the ever-popular Harry Simeone arrangement of Ken Darby’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas", which features several Chorale members as soloists, to traditional carols arranged by John Rutter, along with Irving Berlin’s "White Christmas". Musical director Kathleen Keenan-Takagi has chosen culturally diverse pieces for this concert as well. Dale Wood’s haunting anthem, "Carol from an Irish Cabin", evokes images of intimate celebrations on wind-swept moors, while the traditional "A La Media Noche" from Puerto Rico sung by our women in Spanish, creates a spirited “dance” of the blessed events on that long ago midnight in Bethlehem. Also included is a rhythmic setting in Latin of Psalm 150 written by Brazilian composer Ernani Aguiar, titled "SALMO 150".
After Intermission, the concert resumes with Part I of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio performed by guest soloists and orchestra. Chorale member Rebecca Boyle is the featured alto soloist singing the aria “Prepare thyself, Zion.”
On a lighter note, we will perform selections from "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti. The role of Amahl’s mother will be sung by Karen Williams, a noted area singer who is a favorite of the Chorale and its audiences for her mastery of all vocal styles. The three kings will be sung by tenor Brett Potts, an exciting young soloist, as Kaspar, reprising his recent role with the Nickel City Opera, bass baritone Nicholas Kilkenny, Buffalo State College graduate who is developing a stunning career as a soloist in oratorio as Balthazar, and the Chorale’s own bass, George Adams, as Melchior. George is a retired elementary vocal music educator from North Collins who brings a distinctively personal style to singing.
The evening will end in fine fashion with the spirited and light-hearted singing of traditional carols by the Chorale with anticipated full- audience participation!
We invite you to come and be joyful and sing along with the Orchard Park Chorale on Sunday, December 18th at 7 P.M.
Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased from Chorale members or at the door.
Contact Kathleen Keenan-Takagi at 832-2226 or our website at www.orchardparkchorale,org for more information.
