“A Feast of Carols” – Northminster Choir’s Christmas Offering

On Sunday, December 13, at 10:30 a.m., the choir will present its annual Christmas program. Original carols composed or arranged for the choir will alternate with traditional carols sung by the congregation, creating a joyful—even exuberant—celebration. The program also includes an Advent carol that may be less familiar: “Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People.” Its arrangement will help the congregation join confidently with the choir and orchestra. To hear the carol in advance, visit “Comfort, Comfort” in the Music section of the Northminster website: https://www.northminsterbaptist.org/music/

The program includes Scott Dickison’s poem “Light: An Advent Ghazal,” set and arranged for orchestra and chorus. A ghazal (pronounced “guzzle”) is a Persian poetic form. “Hodie, Christus natus est” draws on a traditional Gregorian chant whose melody shapes the movement of the entire composition. “Glory to God,” which concludes the second section, introduces the angels’ song and then evokes their departure as the music fades into the distance. Three traditional carols form the basis of “A Carol Fantasy.” The first, “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying,” was one of the most important chorales to emerge from the Reformation and has found its way into many carol arrangements and orchestral works; Bach’s harmonization is a classic. “People, Look East” brings a dancelike melody that can easily become an earworm. “Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming,” which we often sing during Advent, offers a lovely contrast to the dignity of the first carol and the lilting quality of the second.

Please join us for this celebration of Advent and Christmas through congregational singing, choral music, poetry, and orchestra.

I hope this music draws you more deeply into the spirit of the season, in all its celebration and sacred wonder.