Jean-Marie reveals our winter repertoire for concerts "Merrily Sing"

“Jingle bells, jingle bells…” Sing along if you know it! It’s just one of the many pieces that we will sing in the upcoming season. Of course, it’s no ordinary Jingle Bells – they never are. Usually when I pick a program, I start with a theme like wind, or ice, or bells. This year, I started with the theme of “good music.” I was determined to pick only pieces that I love and that I thought would fit the Magnolia Chorale. After that, I grouped pieces that were similar to each other and Voila! - a concert program that I am excited to share with you.

We open with the haunting O Magnum Mysterium by Victoria and then quickly lighten the mood with In dulci jubilo. From there we have some popular Christmas favorites like Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy and When a Child Is Born. Children, Go Where I Send Thee will feature our guest children’s choirs. Inviting these young singers to join us is a great way for us to reach out to a younger audience. I guarantee that you will be inspired by their focus and enthusiasm; and, in turn, Magnolia Chorale will inspire them to keep singing throughout their lives.

The second half of the program features a collection of cute little gems about sharing the wassail cup. (I can’t wait to learn your best Christmas grog recipes.) The program becomes serious when we sing about the importance of home in Stephen Paulus’s The Road Home and Randall Thompson’s Choose Something Like a Star. We finish the program with rousing sleigh ride songs. Fun, right?

On my part, I can’t wait to get started. My summer has been amazingly long – filled with travel to Europe, choir camps, and concerts at Tanglewood. But I truly am excited for what lies ahead! I’m already spending time learning the scores. If you find yourself craving Christmas music (or want to be Keen Chorister #1), the complete program will be posted on our website with listening links. As always, I will provide a rehearsal schedule for weekly practices.

So warm up those singing pipes when you are at the beach or working in the garden. Maybe your neighbors will even sing along. If they do, invite them to join us at our first rehearsal on September 13. See you then!

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