Guilford, Vt. – Rehearsals begin in mid-September for Friends of Music at Guilford’s 41st Annual Christmas at Christ Church program in Guilford, to be performed on December 13 & 15. A few additional voices are sought to fill out the choral ranks; membership in Friends of Music is not required.
Tom Baehr, who is embarking on a second season as director of the Guilford Chamber Singers, has selected repertoire celebrating The Baby. The program title is “Brightest and Best,” from Jean Ritchie’s family carol. The music is again a cappella, possibly doubling some voices with instruments where appropriate.
The music ranges from the 17th century, with some modern arrangements of older texts, to a few contemporary carols. Included will be “Coventry Carol” and “Still, Still, Still” in new settings, an old and beautiful version of “Lo, How a Rose ere Blooming” by Melchior Vulpius, a rousing “Welcome, Yule!” by C. Hubert H. Parry, and the lively, traditional “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy.” The program also will include a few instrumental pieces and, as is traditional at this event, a dramatic reading by Don McLean and a few carols for everyone.
Rehearsals will be held from 7 to 9 on Monday evenings at a private home in Brattleboro, starting on September 16. Interested singers are asked to contact Tom Baehr at tombaehr@myfairpoint.net or 802-387-2796, otherwise Friends of Music at 802-254-3600 or office@fomag.org as soon as possible, ideally by August 27 to facilitate music ordering.
