The songs and sounds of Christmas are among our most favorite of our concert seasons and we are so happy you have gathered here with us for this concert. We truly feel that few things can move the spirit like choral harmonies and that fact is elevated when ac­companied by the regal resonance of brass. In this concert we share together, we not only celebrate the festive season but also seek solace in the transformative power of choral music—an art form that, like a comforting fire in the hearth, soothes the wounds of a world that can often be arduous and unyielding.

     As we embark on this hectic, yet important season, we hope you find this melodic sojourn as a respite from all that is going on in the world. As many of us take a break from shopping, cleaning, planning, visiting, or preparing for the end of year, we come together to sit to listen and, I hope, to be moved. Much of tonight’s concert is bombastic, joyful, and invigorating. From the opening fan­fare of Hodie! and Rejoice and Be Merry, to the charming echo carol While By My Sheep, you will hear a fantastic conversation between our voices and the brass.

     I hope you sing loudly on our sing-alongs. I have tried to find arrangements that “sing well” but also give the brass and choir a chance to shine. In these moments you become a performer, and it it is the heart of this performance, where the world’s burdens can momentarily dissipate. I trust your voice will become a refuge for those around you—an oasis where the complexities of life are distilled into harmonies that offer a sanctuary for the weary heart and solace for the troubled mind.

     I hope that the repertoire, a curated selection that traverses the emotional spectrum, becomes a poignant narrative of resilience. From jubilant carols that lift spirits to contemplative arrangements that provide moments of introspection, each note is a testament to the power of music to illuminate the darkest corners of our lives and to instill a sense of hope, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. There is a charmingly progressive story in Do You Hear What I Hear, excitement in Go Where I Send Thee, and amazing metaphors in the carol, I Saw Three Ships. But, the centerpiece of the concert, where all of this comes together, is John Rutter’s Gloria. This three-movement masterwork is a feast for the singers and brass players alike. You will hear fantastic rhythms and cadences. The first movement is a wonderful expression of what makes brass work – the offset entrances, the roll of percussion and the depth of the organ. The second movement is one of my most favorite parts of the concert – the ethereal spiraling of the organ, the close choral harmonies, and the lush brass hymnody is all just preparation for one of the best climaxes in all the repertoire when we finally say they word, “Rex”—a sound truly worthy of a “King!”

     And as we approach the final crescendo of this musical masterpiece, I find the grand finale as a fitting testament to the fortitude of the human spirit. The collective voices, entwined with the regal brass, have over 60 changes in tempo, mode, or time signature that creates a resplendent, nearly overwhelming cacophony. Rutter takes seemingly insurmountable tempo and register changes, and makes them enjoyable, even rewarding. He makes music that echoes with the proclamation that, despite the challenges we face, the indomitable spirit of humanity can be fortified by the transfor­mative magic of music.

     This concert is a wonderful synthesis of choral resilience and brass magnificence, we invite you to not only revel in the beauty of sound but to recognize the healing power that music imparts. May the harmonies resonate within your soul and may the brass fanfares be a source of inspiration—an affir­mation that, even in the harshest of times, the alchemy of music has the ability to elevate, console, and ultimately make the world a more harmonious place. From the Meritage Vocal Arts Ensemble to each cherished listener, may this Christmas concert be a testament to the season, the enduring ability of music to illuminate the shadows, and perhaps most importantly, proof that harmony can be a sanctuary, a respite from the challenges that confront us, and a reminder that even amidst the harshness of existence, beauty and solace can be found in the cadence of music.