Once considered the town’s best-kept secret, the Annapolis Chorale rings in the holidays in grand style this week. Their festive program is a group affair — what conductor J. Ernest Green looks upon as a yearly display of community spirit.
“There is energy to the sound,” he said. “What you hear is the excitement and enthusiasm of the people doing it.”
The chorale’s annual Celebration of Christmas concert, taking place Thursday and Friday night at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, infuses the best sentiments of the season with the best of choral merry-making.
At one point, there are as many as 200 people onstage in a combined effort involving 180 singers, 50 orchestra members, 50 children from the youth chorus, local trios and a group of guest soloists and readers.
“It’s a major event here,” said chorister Phyllis Everette. “It’s like all the Christmas music you want to hear in one place at one time.”
The chorale’s contribution to a packed program includes the holiday favorites “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” and “O Holy Night” while the orchestra solos on the perennial season pleaser “Sleigh Ride.”
“We know that everyone has a favorite holiday carol or song they treasure, so we include as much music as possible every year,” continued Green, who has been at the helm of the Annapolis Chorale and the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra for 24 years.
As its special guest this year, the group welcomes Ginger Doyel, who will read excerpts from her recently published book “Over the Bridge: A History of Eastport at Annapolis.” Nashville recording artist and jazz singer Heather Venesile, soprano Fatinah Tilfah and tenor Andrew Owens will also perform.
“This event is part of a whole package,” said an enthusiastic Green. “There’s pride in our capital, happiness at the holiday season and grandeur to the work.”
The Annapolis Chorale is presented by Live Arts Maryland, a multifaceted, nonprofit arts organization presenting high-quality music and providing music education for all ages. In addition to the Annapolis Chorale, the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and the Annapolis Youth Chorus, Live Arts Maryland also sponsors the St. Anne’s Concert Series and the Washington Symphonic Brass in Annapolis.
IF YOU GO
The Annapolis Chorale’s Celebration of Christmas
» Venue: Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
801 Chase St., Annapolis
» When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday
» Tickets: $42
» Info: 410-280-5640. annapolischorale.org
