As it has now for five decades, the Sippican Choral Society of Marion ushers in the Christmas season in Southeastern Massachusetts with its annual Christmas Concerts on Friday, December 4 at Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, December 6 at 4:00 pm in Tabor Academy’s Wickenden Chapel in Marion.
This year, under the direction of its new Music Director Dr. Tianxu Zhou, the chorus will perform Anton Vivaldi’s beautiful “Gloria” as its main selection, followed by some of the chorus’s favorite Christmas music over the last 50 years. Some of the music to be performed include “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “O Holy Night,” “Sleigh Ride,” and as a benediction, John Rutter’s beautiful “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” For many years, the chorus has ended its Christmas concert with this gentle blessing.
Once again, the chorus will be joined by the Southcoast Children’s Chorus as its guest under the direction of Leslie Piper. The children will sing several pieces, and join the chorus for three others, including the popular “Hope for Resolution” by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory.
As always, the audience will have the chance to sing along with the chorus on several familiar Christmas carols.
The following Monday evening, volunteers from the chorus will also sing selections from the concert at the Sippican Long Term Health Care Center in Marion.
Now in its 50th season, the 90-member Sippican Choral Society is under the direction of Dr. Tianxu Zhou, with Ms. Michelle Gordon as accompanist. The group performs at least two concerts every year, singing the works of the world’s great composers, as well as works from the theater, folk, jazz, and popular genres. This coming spring, our concert will have a French theme and will be performed at the end of April.
Tickets to the Christmas concert are $15 each and are now available at The Bookstall in Marion, No Kidding at Mattapoisett’s Ropewalk, The Symphony Shop in Dartmouth, and Euro in Fairhaven. Chorus members also have tickets for sale. Doors for the Friday concert at Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford will open at 7:30 pm. On Sunday at Wickenden Chapel in Marion, they will open at 3:30 pm. Both venues are handicapped-accessible.