Charis Holiday Concert Features Works by Britten and Favorite Carols

Charis Chamber Voices, an auditioned chorus of 30 men and women from Westchster and Fairfield counties, will ring in the holiday season with two concerts, the first at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, 605 Millwood Rd., (Rte 133), Mt. Kisco, on Saturday, December 7, at 4 p.m. and the second at the Bedford Presbyterian Church, The Village Green, Bedford, 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 as the tensions that would explode into World War II menaced Europe.  The cantata, with interludes of poetry and scripture, are narrated between the choral sections.  The work has been performed only once in North America.

Also on the program are motets by Renaissance composer Francisco Guerrero, the "Jesu Carols" by contemporary Minnesota composer Stephen Paulus and "O Magnum mysterium" by New York-based contemporary composer Nancy Wertsch.  Enjoy a wine reception after the performance.

Tickets are $25 ($20 for seniors and students) which may be purchased through the Charis website, www.charisvocals.com, or at the door.