I’ll admit it, I am one of those people who doesn’t mind at all when the stores start playing holiday tunes – even if it’s in October. Hearing carols and pop tunes helps me get in that hopeful, light, giddy state of mind that are the core of the holiday season. We’ve partnered with our friends at The Colorado Choir to let you know about their upcoming concerts and to give away a 4-pack of tickets.
Nothing quite says Christmas like Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir, as the saying goes. The Colorado Choir has been delighting Denver audiences at Christmas for almost 50 years, and this year is no exception. After missing 2020 because of the pandemic, the choir is back to its full size this year and sounds better than ever. At this concert they’re singing not only some arrangements of well-known carols, but a variety of other pieces to invoke the warmth and joy of the season.
Selections include a choral motet by J.S. Bach that the choir last performed seven years ago – it’s widely considered one of his best. The stunning Nowel by Randall Thompson bathes the listener in the beauty of the music using only a one-word text, much as he did in his famous Alleluia.
The Colorado Choir has a long history with composer Paul J. Christiansen, and at this concert they present his O How Beautiful the Sky, Patapan, and festive arrangement of Angels We Have Heard on High. While not exactly traditional for Christmas, the well-known American spiritual Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit, arranged by African-Amercian composer William L. Dawson, features a rousing solo by a new member of the choir, Michael Hambrick, and will leave you feeling the Christmas spirit.
The choir’s conductor and artistic director, Kelly Parmenter, shares the story of the construction of this concert. “My
family moved to Colorado at the end of the summer of 1972. I was 15. Quite frankly, I was totally against it! I wondered how our lives would ever be the same. What about our traditions, our sense of community? Would I ever feel ‘home’ again? It didn’t take me long to realize that home isn’t found on a map. It’s found in your heart. It’s found in the eyes of the people you love and the smiles of newly made friends. Most importantly it is found through music. For those of you who have been with us a while, this concert is a bit of a walk down memory lane. As we revisit songs from our choir’s past, we hope to bring forth memories of Christmas joy, family, and beloved traditions. It is a most wonderful time of the year!”
The Colorado Choir has three upcoming concerts:
Saturday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 2305 N. Gaylord Street, Denver, CO 80205
The Choir presents a special half-length matinee preview and food drive. This concert is perfect for those with little ones or who prefer to not drive at night. Tickets are $10 + a non-perishable food donation.
Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80246
Christmas with The Colorado Choir features a program of both traditional and contemporary music featuring works by J.S. Bach, Randall Thompson, Alfred Burt, and Paul J. Christiansen. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, military, and seniors (65+).
To purchase tickets, visit thecoloradochoir.org
As a special offer for In Good Taste Denver readers, we have two Family 4-packs of tickets to The Colorado Choir’s Dec. 2 or 3 evening concerts to give away. To be eligible for the drawing, look for the post below on the In Good Taste Denver Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter pages. Follow the easy instructions and enter to win by midnight, November 23.
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