Tickets for this year’s special “double-feature” Christmas concerts in Calimesa are now available online, according to an announcement from Calimesa Community Concerts. Two critically acclaimed musical groups will be featured together on Dec. 21 and 22.
“Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass” will be joined by the five-member male vocal group “VERITAS” in the sacred-music concerts the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m. and again Saturday, December 22, at 4 p.m. The concert series is now in its 32nd season, of which the highlight Christmas weekend is known as the Candlelight Festival of Music and Lights.
Dr. Bob Soderblom, director of Calimesa Community Concerts, expects an early sell-out for this year’s concerts. Followers of the popular series have only two concerts to fill this year instead of the three performances available in most of the recent Christmas seasons, he notes.
“Hymn classics with a contemporary flair” characterize the concerts and recordings of Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass, now in their 40th performing season. The group comprises three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion, and keyboards. They play over 150 concerts each year and have just released their 18th recording, “Christmas Joy,” on the Summit Records label.
VERITAS has developed a strong Inland Empire following since first appearing in the area with gospel vocalist Sandi Patty during her 2017 farewell tour. She described the singers’ classical sound as “like hearing five Josh Grobans at the same time.” The powerhouse vocal group chose its name – Latin for “truth” – to reflect their spiritual and musical values, they explain.
Reserved-seat tickets for either of the Calimesa concerts can be ordered on-line or by telephone at $10, $15, $25, or $30, depending on location, Soderblom says. Internet sales are from www.iTickets.com and phone orders at (800) 965-9324. Popular credit cards are accepted.
No tickets will be sold at the door.
Both local concerts are at the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church, 391 Myrtlewood Dr. (4th and Myrtlewood) in Calimesa. The church is chosen to host the community concerts each Christmas partly because of its long tradition of beautiful lighting and decoration to mark the religious holiday, Soderblom explains.
“Early ticket orders have the best choice of seating at either of the two concerts,” he adds. A dedicated telephone line provides free recorded information and directions for the concert at (909) 795-4960.