The Community Chorus of Redlands Performs Christmas Concerts

REDLANDS>> The Community Chorus of Redlands, a choral ensemble of 70 voices directed by Jeffrey H. Rickard, will present "A Concert of Anthems, Readings and Carols" for the Christmas season at First Congregational Church, located on the corner of Cajon and Olive in Redlands, on Friday, Dec. 9 beginning at 8 p.m. This program will be repeated at Faith Lutheran Church, 12449 California St. in Yucaipa, on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. and at St. Rita Catholic Church, 321 North Baldwin, Sierra Madre on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. A wide variety of sacred Christmas anthems and carols will be offered including works by Franz Biebl, Benjamin Britten, Linda Hagenberg, Howard Helvey, Giovanni Pergolesi, Mark Sedio, Jeff Trenchard, Mack Wilberg and Rickard. As in the past, several traditional carols will be sung by audience and choir, accompanied by a Chamber Ensemble of Strings, Winds, Harp, Piano and Organ. Readings from several sacred and secular sources will again be read by Patrick Anderson and Mary Beth Richardson. Ensemble XXI, an ensemble of 30 voices, will join this presentation and offer unaccompanied carols by English and American composers. This 90-minute presentation is free of charge, although a free-will offering will be received in support of the participating ensembles.