Nothing sets the tone for the Christmas season like cherished music, performed live. The sounds of a children’s choir, the passion of “Ave Maria” and the rousing spirit of the beloved song “Joy to the World” will fill the Arboretum at Christ Cathedral on Dec. 16, all part of the Christmas at the Cathedral Concert.
The Choirs of Christ Cathedral number more than 150 singers and include: the Cathedral Choir, the Diocesan Choir, the Diocesan Children’s Choir and the Cathedral Spanish Choir. The choirs will help usher in the blessed season of Christmas with a range of selections, new and old. They will be accompanied by the Arboretum’s 82 rank Aeolian Skinner Organ and the Cathedral Orchestra.
Special Guest Tenor César Sánchez will share his talent as part of the concert. Sánchez, born in Mexico, is known for his rich and passionate voice. He was introduced to music as a boy while attending the Church of the Sacred Heart in Tijuana, Mexico. He was awarded the title “Ambassador of the Arts” by the Mexican government and has traveled widely studying and performing.
Drs. Thomas and Cynthia Coad, whose generous gift is making possible the Christ Cathedral Concerts, learned of Sánchez while at a party where he was performing.
“As we listened to him sing we were greatly impressed,” said Dr. Thomas Coad, who eventually introduced Bishop Vann to Sánchez and hosted several recitals featuring him. Since then, he has performed internationally and nationally in many opera houses.
“He is a very humble young man, raised by loving parents in an impoverished area of Tijuana,” Dr. Coad said. “His talent was recognized early and he was the recipient of numerous trips and awards. I think he will be a wonderful role model for not only the Hispanic population, but for the young people of Orange County.”
The concert includes the following program:
- Personent Hodie
- Come All Ye Faithful
- Star Carol
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Before the Marvel of This Night
- Ding Dong Merrily on High
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Mille Cherubini in Coro
- Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle
- Ave Maria
- O Magnum Mysterium
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- O Holy Night
- Silent Night
- The Snow Lay on the Ground
- Gloria – John Rutter
- Joy to the World
- Christmas Blessing
Works and arrangements are by John Rutter, David Willcocks, Julian Wachner, Mack Wilberg, Philip Stopford, Lara Hoggard, Joseph Wilcox Jenkins, and Carl Schalk.
Tickets range in price from $10 to $40 and can be purchased at http://bit.ly/2gMj55J
Christ Cathedral Concerts are made possible by the generous gifts from Drs. Thomas and Cynthia Coad and Christopher T. Coad, MD, FACS, and Kevin T. Kowalski. Their support, and the support of many others, is helping to build a center of music and culture at Christ Cathedral.