The Chorus will perform ‘A Winter’s Night’ at Christ Our Light in Cherry Hill on Sunday, Dec. 16.
This year, the Greater South Jersey Chorus is offering a truly unique holiday concert experience. “A Winter’s Night” combines the traditional with the innovative, including multicultural pieces and featuring a work by a female composer. Concert-goers will have two opportunities to attend: Saturday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church in in Mt. Laurel and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. at Christ Our Light in Cherry Hill.
Performing expressive Spanish-influenced lullabies, a rhythmic Nigerian carol, and holiday favorites, GSJC will sing of peace and joy, accompanied by live instrumentalists. The chorus’s artistic director, Dr. Christopher Thomas of Rowan University, chose a suite of nativity carols that is distinctive and refreshing.
“‘Carols and Lullabies’ by Conrad Susa is quite common to the Southwest — my first encounter with it was as a graduate student in Arizona — but less familiar in our region,” Thomas said. “Accompanied by harp, guitar, and marimba, it is a charming, fun, and heartfelt work.”
Another less familiar work sure to become a concert-goer favorite is “Snow Angel.”
“It was my goal this year to feature a significant work by a woman composer, and Sarah Quartel’s ‘Snow Angel’ really spoke to me,” Thomas said. “Her haunting harmonies paired with thought-provoking texts has become my favorite piece of the program. It will likely be new to the entire audience, but it’s guaranteed to make an impression. In addition to these two works, the program also features standard holiday repertoire with moments of joy, wonder, and excitement.”
The Greater South Jersey Chorus, numbering more than 90 voices, has contributed to the region’s musical landscape for more than 25 years. After “A Winter’s Night,” GSJC will begin preparations for its much-anticipated “Vino Forte!” concert and wine tasting event. Save the date for this annual gala fundraiser, to be held on Saturday, March 30 at Laurita Winery in New Egypt. GSJC will then perform on May 4 and 5 alongside the Garden State Girl Choir and the New Jersey Boy Choir. This spring concert, including “Mass of the Children” by John Rutter and “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest, will lift your spirits and pay choral tribute to the reawakening of the earth after the long winter.
Tickets for “A Winter’s Night” are $20 and may be purchased at the door or online at greatersouthjerseychorus.org.
