Charis Holiday Concert Features Works by Britten,Guerrero and Favorite Carols

Charis Chamber Voices, an auditioned chorus of 30 men and women from Westchester and Fairfield counties, will ring in the holiday season with two concerts, the first at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, 605 Millwood Rd., Mt., Kisco, NY, on Saturday, December 7, at 4 p.m. and the second at the Bedford Presbyterian Church, Village Green, Bedford, NY 10506, on Sunday, December 8, at 4 p.m.. The program for this year's "Candlelight Christmas Concert" features a Britten cantata for choir, harp and organ which Britten composed in 1938 for the BBC radio as the tensions that would explode into World War II menaced Europe.  The cantata, with interludes of poetry and scripture are read between the choral sections.  The work has been performed only once before in North America.  The program also includes a motet by Renaissance composer Francisco Guerroro, the "Jesu Carols" by contemporary Minnesota composer Stephen Paulus and "O Magnum mysterium" by New York-based contemporary composer Nancy Wertsch.  Tickets are $25 ($20 for seniors and students) which can be purchased in advance at www.charivocals.com or by calling 914 931 6575.  They will also be available at the door.