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November 29, 2016 | The Valley Catholic
San Jose Symphonic Choir
Celebrates the Holidays
San Jose Symphonic Choir (SJSC)
is offering t wo performances i n
December celebrating the Christmas
season. On December 12, the Choir
will present You-Sing-It Messiah at
7:30 p.m. at the California Theatre. In
addition, SJSC will participate in the
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph’s
Season of Hope, on December 19, also
at 7:30 p.m.
For nearly 40 years, SJSC has
enjoyed sharing the festive spirit of the
holiday season through inviting the
community to participate in its annual
You-Sing-It Messiah. The evening
begins with carols in the theatre’s
ornate, Art Deco lobby, beautifully
sung by Vivace Youth Chorus of
San Jose, under t he direct ion of
Peggy Spool. SJSC’s own Maestro
Leroy Kromm then leads the San Jose
Baroque Orchestra and the entire
audience in singing Handel’s beloved
masterpiece.
Messiah, Handel’s most familiar
work, was origina lly composed for
Easter, and was first performed to a
sellout crowd in Dublin in April 1742.
There were so many attendees that
ladies were asked not to wear skirt
hoops to make more room! In our time
it is widely performed as a celebration
of Christmas – but audiences are still
mesmerized by beautiful arias like
“Comfort ye my people” and “I know
that my Redeemer liveth” as well as
stirring choruses such as “Hallelujah!”
Tickets can be purchased through
the Symphony Silicon Valley box office:
(408) 286-2600, x30, or by contacting
[email protected].
SJSC is proud to participate in the
Season of Hope, a free concert series
which provides outstanding musical
events and support to Cathedral
Basi l ica of Sa i nt Joseph’s soc ia l
ministry to those in need in our
community. This year’s program will
include Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of
Carols and seasonal favorites.
Brit ten wrote t he Ceremony of
Carols during a perilous boat trip
from the U.S. home to England in
March 1942, during the height of
WWII U-boat activity. The work is
based on medieval poems and is
accompanied, in a manner fitting
medieval performance, by harp. Sung
partly in Old English, the piece evokes
the gentle love of the new mother and
the welcoming of the holy child.
Please visit the Choir’s website,
www.sanjosesymphonicchoir.org, or
call (408) 995-3318 for more information.