The Island Community Chorus has been rehearsing since before the ferry rates went down, since before the fall Derby began – in fact, since the week public schools opened on the Vineyard – in preparation for this weekend’s holiday concerts at the Whaling Church.
Under the leadership of artistic director Peter Boak, and with the accompaniment of pianist and organist Garrett Brown and several guest musicians, the chorus of more than 100 singers will present a festive program of seasonal music from many traditions at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, and again in a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 6.
The Whaling Church in Edgartown is a favorite venue of the Island Community Chorus, which presents two of its three annual concerts there each year; the third is traditionally sung on the Fourth of July weekend at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs.
This weekend’s program, a mix of sacred and secular music in English, Latin and Hebrew, begins with a 17th century piece, Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Magnificat, featuring soloists Chris Allen, Glenn Carpenter and Kevin Ryan. It concludes with a rollicking 1990 composition by Craig Courtney, A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas. This piece, originally commissioned for the Columbus Symphony’s annual Pops concert, presents the familiar tune through the lens of varied musical styles, from Gregorian chant to the marches of John Philip Sousa.
Also on the concert program are Videntes Stellam, a haunting 1951 composition by the French composer Francis Poulenc; a pair of lively Israeli dance-songs arranged by Joshua Jacobson, and a cappella pieces by Andrea Gabrieli and Luc Jakobs.
A donation of $15 is suggested at both concerts. Receptions with food served by the choir will be held downstairs in the Baylies Room after both concerts, and everyone is invited.
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