At a local coffee shop the other day, a woman sitting nearby noticed my fingers hovering (for way too long) over my keyboard and asked “work or fun?” I answered “usually fun” but confessed I was a bit overwhelmed by the many Christmas choral concerts coming up. “Oh my, I remember my favorite Christmas concert,” she said. I lowered my fingers and sat back to listen.

It was September around the mid 1970s when Lynn saw an article in the Oregonian about the Rickreall Annual Christmas Pageant. She called the phone number listed and was told “Sorry. Tickets sell out fast. Call on January 1 and you might get one.” She did and 12 months later, on a dark December afternoon, stuck it in her purse and headed out. 

It was quite a drive to the Rickreall Grade School, southwest of Salem, and Lynn got one of the last seats left, next to a little girl. The girl, perhaps 8, welcomed her, and then finding out it was Lynn’s first time in Rickreall, proceeded to explain all of the important things about the pageant. About angel wings and costumes, the lights, the music – but especially about the donkey her brother would lead onto the stage. The donkey was big but gentle said the little girl – “so don’t be afraid.” 

Choirs sang, luminaries flickered, the Christmas story unfolded, and the donkey was, as promised, gentle. And it was magical. For Lynn, the magic of Rickreall, of a gentle donkey and a kind little girl who made her feel welcome, still warms her heart. 

We both wondered if the Rickreall Pageant was still going on. I told Lynn I would check and let her know. 

In this holiday season the possibility of having – and making – magical moments exists in every choral concert. With or without a donkey.

Singing The Darkness Away

Shining a light on the season are Aurora Chorus and Radix Vocal Ensemble, two women’s choirs who celebrate the changing season. Aurora, with 15 new members this season, performs gentle lullabies that will rock you in softness and a Joan Szymko arrangement of Pink Floyd’s “On the Turning Away” calling for united strength. Join Aurora for the “New Moon, Songs for Renewal in Darkness” on Saturday, December 7, at 7 pm at First United Methodist Church. (Tickets here.) 

The eleven voices of Radix will sing, among other works, Rosephayne Powell’s “To Sit and Dream” with text by Langston Hughes. Listen to that lovely work here.

And it is rumored that handbells might summon a toe-tapper as Radix presents the “Power of Possibilities”, Saturday, December 7 at 3 pm at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church (tickets here).

Portland Lesbian Choir presents an array of seasonal songs including two new commissioned arrangements of tunes you might know in “Coming Out of the Dark,” a theme that suggests that illumination is forthcoming, on Saturday, December 21, 7 pm and Sunday, December 22, 3 pm both concerts at Parkrose Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available here. 

In Mulieribus premiered Norwegian composer Wolfgang Plagge’s O Antiphons in 2008, a few days later than originally scheduled due to a snowstorm meteorologists called “freakish.” Here’s another chance to hear Plagge’s contemporary settings of the seven ancient chants sung during Advent’s darkest days, December 17-23, but which carry a message of hope and optimism. And experience these ancient antiphons as they have been used in other joyous carols and songs, some of which might be surprisingly familiar to you. For a quick introduction to “O Antiphons”, click here.

In Mulieribus presents “O Radiant Dawn” on Saturday, December 21, 7:30 at St. Mary’s Cathedral and Sunday, December 22, 7:30 at St. Philip Neri. Tickets are available here. 

Finding the Baroque In Choral Treasures

Bach, Handel and Vivaldi – 

Antonio Vivaldi’s friends called him “Il Preto Rosso”, the Red Priest. With his shock of red hair and priestly robes, he must have been a sight to behold in turn of the eighteenth-century Venice. Two Vivaldi classics you know–The Four Seasons and Gloria, RV 589–are on ISing Choir’s holiday concert. “The Red Priest Revisited” offers a new innovative “choral-ized” arrangement of “Spring,” the spirited Gloria, and other not so familiar Vivaldi works with members of Portland Chamber Orchestra. Also enjoy the Big Horn Brass quintet, Dan Miller on organ and tenor Loren Masánqué.

“The Red Priest Revisited” is offered by ISing Choir three times at Cedar Hills United Church of Christ, Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14, 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 15, 3 pm. Tickets and additional info here.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Choirs join forces with Portland Baroque Orchestra, soloists and guest conductor Matthew Dirst to present Johann Sebastian Bach’s Advent cantata BWV 62 “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” (Savior of the nations, come) and his breathtaking Magnificat. Oh, that “Suscepit” trio; listen to it here.

A special treat is a whiz bang, energizing concerto by Austrian Baroque composer and pedagogue Johann Joseph Fux, La dolcezze e l’amarezze della notte! (The sweetness and bitterness of the night). Soloists for the Bach are Michele Kennedy, soprano; Hannah Penn, mezzo; Kyle Stegall, tenor; Harrison Hintzsche, baritone.

Trinity Music Series and PBO present Bach’s “Magnificat” and “Cantata 62” and more on Friday, December 13, 7 pm, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Tickets may be purchased here. 

The Bach Cantata Choir delivers your dose of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio this holiday season. They perform Parts 1, 2, 5, 6. With these four cantatas you experience the birth of Jesus, the appearance of the angel to the Shepherds, the arrival of the Wise Men and their rejoicing in worship of the Child. You’ll be invited to raise your own voice as the wonderment of the season unfolds in the lovely chorales. Soloists are soprano Vakarė Petroliūnaitė; alto Laura Beckel Thoreson; tenor Leslie Green; and bass, Jacob Herbert. 

J. S. Bach Christmas Oratorio, Parts 1, 2, 5, 6 is presented by the Bach Cantata Choir on Friday, December 20, 7:30 pm at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church. Purchase tickets here. 

Unto Us Handel’s Messiah Is Given

Look to Portland and Eugene for two complete (all three parts) Messiah offerings this year. And whichever you attend you can expect, as Eugene Concert Choir Director Diane Retallack confirmed in recent email to OAW, “Full da capos. Every note.” 

On December 15 the full Eugene Concert Choir and modern instrument Eugene CC Orchestra present one Messiah performance. Two soloists–alto Rehanna Thelwell and tenor Demetrious Sampson, Jr. from ECC’s award winning “Black Is Beautiful” live concert CD–return to the Silva stage and are joined by soprano Dawna Rae Warren and bass Levi Hernandez. It’s a sentimental moment in this 50^th year for ECC; the choir’s founding performance was the Messiah. Every note. 

Experience Handel’s “Messiah” with the Eugene Concert Choir and Orchestra on Sunday, December 15, 2:30 pm at Silva Concert Hall, Hult Center, Eugene. Tickets are available here. 

Portland Baroque Orchestra with singers of Cappella Romana present your old favorite, Messiah. But, as always, it’s brand new. It’s the first PBO Messiah for Artistic Director Julian Perkins, but Executive Director Hilary Butler reported in recent email to OAW that the well-anticipated annual event was first performed in Portland in 1987. Gosh. How about you? Is it your first or your thirty-fifth? It will be everyone’s first performance in the new venue for PBO, First Congregational Church. Soloists are soprano, Rebecca Myers; mezzo Sara Coit; tenor Dann Coakwell; and bass Christian Pursell. 

Portland Baroque Orchestra, with singers of Cappella Romana, offer three performances of Handel’s complete “Messiah” in a new venue, Sanctuary Hall, First Congregational Church on Friday, December 6, 7 pm, Saturday, December 7, 3 pm, and Sunday, December 8, 3 pm. Tickets and more information are here. 

As the entire Messiah triptych is around 3 hours, some choirs at Christmas offer Part 1 of the 1741 oratorio which predicts the coming of the Messiah (mostly from the Book of Isaiah) and add the “Halleluia Chorus” which is really the last movement of Part 2. In Corvallis, Medford and Ashland enjoy Part 1+HC concert performances; in two Portland locations and one in Bend come prepared to sing-along.

The PRAx, on the Oregon State Campus is where Corvallis Repertory Singers will perform Messiah Part 1 plus several other beloved choruses including the “Halleluia”. You will hear soprano, Madelyn Zuro; mezzo, Jenna Skarphol; tenor, Bryce Tomlin; and bass, Paul Denison on the beloved arias. Enjoy Corvallis Repertory Singers “Christmas” Messiah on Sunday, December 15, 3 pm at Lynne Hallstrom Detrick Hall, Patricia Reser Center for the Creative Arts. Tickets are here. 

This season Central Oregon Mastersingers, in addition to their carols concert (see below), invites you to BYO Messiah score if possible to their SYO “Part 1” to sing along with gusto. Follow along to recits and arias sung by choir members; but you get all the rest. Even more fun – attend the optional rehearsal before the sing-along event. Limited scores will be available. Come sing-along on Saturday, December 21, 3 pm, Nativity Lutheran and Sunday, December 22, 3 pm, Sunriver Christian Fellowship with optional drop-in rehearsal Tuesday, December 17, 7 pm. These events are free, all are welcome. More information is here. 

In Southern Oregon, the Jefferson Baroque Orchestra and Choir invites you to Messiah Part 1 plus the HC, for which you are welcome to join in, on Saturday, December 7, 7 pm at St. Mark Episcopal, Medford and Sunday, December 8, 3 pm at First United Methodist, Ashland. Tickets and details are here.

In Portland, Sing Your Own Messiah with Oregon Episcopal School Strings and soloists on December 8, 4 pm at St. John Episcopal. Scores are provided or BYO. More info on the free event here.

Portland’s Blueprint Arts revives a Northeast Portland tradition. Come sing your own Messiah choruses on December 22, 5:27 (precise downbeat) at Rose City Park United Methodist. The event is free. Scores available or BYO. More information here.

You’ll hear, and be invited to sing, many “Halleluiah Choruses” in upcoming Christmas concerts. (Many a conductor has realized it’s a sure way to end a holiday concert with a standing ovation.) But these are concerts in which you will find the holly and the jolly in other familiar favorites that reignite the wonderment of the season.

Christmas the World ‘Round

Cappella Romana invites you to “Christmas in Ukraine” this year, welcoming the return of Marika Kuzma, Director of Choral Studies at University of California Berkeley, and leading authority on the music of Dmitry Bortniansky, whose music is featured on this concert. Her extensive studies of Ukrainian choral music will offer an endearing glimpse into the culture embedded in songs and seasonal festivities of the region. 

Cappella Romana transports you to “Christmas in Ukraine” in Portland on Saturday, December 14, 7:30 pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral; in Lake Oswego on Sunday, December 15, 3 pm at Our Lady of the Lake Parish and in Seattle on Friday, December 13, 7:30 pm, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Tickets and more details are here. 

Voces8 has traveled halfway around the world for their “back by popular demand” Holiday Concert brought to us by Friends of Chamber Music. But the Wednesday, December 18 Portland concert is SOLD OUT; call FOCM 503- 224-9842 to be added to the waiting list. For those of you always looking for interesting repertoire, check out their program here. 

Tap into the many moods of the holiday season with Portland Gay Men’s Chorus who invites you to “Merry Everything: Winter Songs from Around the World” on Friday, December 13, 8 pm, Saturday, December 14, 8 pm and Sunday, December 15, 3 pm, all performances at the Newmark Theater, P5. Purchase your tickets here. 

In addition to their Messiah sing-along, Central Oregon Mastersingers presents a “Festival of Carols” from around the world. The iconic Tower Theatre is the Bend location for this joyous concert of your holiday favorites on Saturday, December 14, 7 pm and Sunday, December 15 at 2 pm. Tickets and details are here. 

Southern Oregon Repertory Singers sing of peace and joy around the world with concerts in Ashland and Medford this season. “All the Stars Looked Down” is SORS second concert this season which is Director Paul French’s 30^th with the choir. Southern Oregon Repertory Singers’ three concerts are Friday, December 20, 7:30 pm in Medford’s United Church of Christ; Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 both Ashland concerts at 2pm at Southern Oregon University’s Music Recital Hall, Ashland. Tickets are here. 

Portland Symphonic Choir brings holiday cheer with guests Tualatin High School, under the direction of Andrew Bergh and Jefferson High School and Portland Waldorf High School, conducted by Joshua Somerville. Gather in singing at Portland Symphonic Choir’s annual “Wintersong” on Saturday, December 14, 4:30 pm at First United Methodist Church. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Oregon Chorale, kicking off their 40^th season, invites you to afternoons of Christmas favorite choral chestnuts and holiday classics, and audience sing-alongs – yes, you’ll get lyrics sheets. And festivities will be spiced up by the choirs of two Hillsboro High Schools, Liberty and Glencoe. Oregon Chorale performs with Glencoe at St. Andrew Lutheran on Saturday, December 7, 4 pm at and with Liberty on Sunday, December 8, 4 and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian.. Tickets and details are here. 

Fifth Sunday’s “In Praise of Christmas” concert is on Tuesday, December 10 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Contact the group at fifthsundaysings@gmail.com.

Oregon Repertory Singers draws from the music of Berlioz, Poulenc, Handel and ORS audience favorites Biebl, LaViolette and Ešenvalds in their annual “Glory of Christmas” concerts with special guest organist Jonas Nordwall. Get into the holiday spirit with Oregon Repertory Singers on Sunday, December 8, 4 pm, Friday, December 13, 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 15, 4 pm. All concerts are at First United Methodist Church. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Another choral ensemble – Portland’s newest – is showcasing Christmas music by a local composer. Northwest Vocal Arts, directed by Sam Barbara, is pleased to program The Rose that Bare Jesu by Portland native, now D.M.A. candidate at University of Southern California, Duncan Tuomi. Tuomi will also be conducting the work. This poignant work and many other holiday favorites will be on Northwest Vocal Art’s premiere concert Sunday, December 22, 3 pm, Rose City Park United Methodist Church. Tickets and much more information about this new choral organization here. 

Choral Arts Ensemble’s holiday concert repertoire rejoices “in excelsis Deo” in John Rutter’s Gloria, featuring the Big Horn Brass and Dan Davey on organ, and soothes with heavenly reflections in Sarah Quartel’s five-movement Snow Angel, featuring cellist Anne Sato and Jennifer Creek Hughes on piano. Listen to Mvt. 5 of Snow Angel here. 

Other carols and seasonal favorites are on these concerts on Saturday, December 14, 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 15, 3:00 pm at Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Lewis and Clark College. Full program notes are here. Tickets and details are here. 

Willamette Master Chorus and the Trail Sextet present their annual Holiday Concert with choirs from Salem’s Straub and Walker Middle Schools. WMC presents these Salem concerts on Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 both 3 pm at Hudson Hall, Willamette University. Get your tickets here. 

“Peace on Earth” and one of the most ancient, and suspect, Christmas culinary creations – figgy pudding – are brought to you by Cantico Singers this holiday. Concerts featuring Mendelssohn, Jewish folk-songs, spirituals, Rutter and a spoonful of spice are offered twice, which is nice, on Saturday, December 14, 3:30 and again at 7:30 at St. James Episcopal Church, Tigard. Tickets, with discount advanced sales, are here. 

Vancouver Master Chorale doubles down on Magnificats with the early twentieth century version by Ralph Vaughan Williams and a contemporary work by Taylor Scott Davis premiered in Carnegie Hall this past May. Hear two different “voices” of the Blessed Virgin – Vaughan Williams’ is a contralto, the Davis a soprano who sings an added contemporary text emphasizing the strength of the women of scripture. Listen to Mvt. II here.

Hear two “Magnificats,” a “Halleluiah Chorus” and enjoy a carol sing-along when Vancouver Master Chorale performs on Saturday, December 7 at 7 pm and Sunday, December 8, 3 pm at First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver. Tickets are here.

Portland Nordic Chorus performs Songs of the Season in Danish; Finnish; Icelandic; Norwegian; and Swedish – vad häftigt! – on Saturday, December 14, 7 pm at Nordic Northwest. Their website is here.

In two age-leveled concerts the eight choirs of Pacific Youth Choir perform “Wintertide Awakes” on Sunday, December 15. You will hear pieces from “diverse holiday traditional and seasonal customs from around the world” (website) presented by the Elementary/Middle Choirs at 2 pm and the High School and Chamber Choirs at 5 pm at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. More information and special pricing on advanced tickets sales can be found here. 

Portland Symphonic Girlchoir presents their holiday concert on Saturday, December 14, 3 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, Portland. Tickets are available here. 

Holiday Cheer on the Symphonic Stage

Holiday cheer is on display this season at Oregon Symphony Orchestra. Several seasonal selections have been added this year (see the entire array of offerings here), but two of your choral favorites remain:

Oregon Symphony Orchestra and Oregon Chorale present “Comfort and Joy” conducted by Raúl Gómez-Rojas, always a popular event celebrating the vast repertoire of “Songs of Good Cheer” (with lyrics sheets included), on Wednesday, December 11, 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Purchase tickets here. 

And the Northwest Gospel Chorus and Oregon Symphony pair up for the 25^th annual performances of “A Gospel Christmas” conducted by Charles Floyd. The passion and joy of gospel music fill the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Saturday, December 14, 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 15, 4 pm. Tickets may be purchased here. 

Feel like you need a little “Ode to Joy” for New Year’s? The OSO has that, too. Alert: as the final strains of Beethoven’s “Choral” Symphony No. 9 ring out, balloons may ceremoniously drop on your head. It’s almost the New Year…embrace the magical moment. Monday, December 30, 7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets and more details are here. 

Rickreall Christmas Pageant is a memory

Here’s the update on the Rickreall Christmas Pageant. In 2017, Jolene Guzman, in the Polk County Itemizer-Observer, reported “A local Christmas tradition for generations, the Rickreall Christmas Pageant’s 75-year run is over”. Thank you for the story, Lynn.

Enjoy making magical musical memories this year.