Some of the most timeless and bright choral music is performed only during the brief holiday season.
Whether it's "Silent Night" or Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here," the pieces possess universal charm.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy this music.
One of the more interesting holiday concerts is the Thursday appearance of the Blind Boys of Alabama at the Mondavi Center in Davis. The group, formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939, has worked the festival and black gospel circuits for more than 40 years.
This concert is their fourth appearance at the Mondavi, said Jeremy Ganter, associate executive director and director of programming at the center.
For Ganter, the second half of the Blind Boys' show establishes why they are frequent performers at Mondavi. That is when Blind Boys lead vocalist Jimmy Carter comes out into the audience and travels the aisles, singing and dancing.
"It's clearly not a spontaneous act, but for the initiated it has, in fact, become an expected, signature moment in every holiday show," Ganter said. "For those experiencing it for the first time it can be overwhelming, in spite of it being a staged moment. Jimmy gets into the aisles, the lights go up, the audience jumps to its feet. I can look around and see such ecstatic happiness, such engagement with the moment, that I remember why I chose to work in the arts."
Such moments are no rarity at holiday concerts.
Here is a list of holiday concerts, some of which will offer the unexpected magical moment, some the deeply poignant.
Solstice: Dance of Light
Vocal Arts Ensemble
What: This seasonal choral music ranges from the rich darkness of the medieval Mass to the tone clusters of modern music. It will include Samuel Barber's "Agnus Dei."
When: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento (tonight); United Methodist Church of Davis, 1620 Anderson Road, Davis, (Saturday); Brunelle Performance Hall, 315 W. 14th St., Davis (Sunday)
Tickets: $6-$20
Information: www.vae.trug.com
Home for the Holidays
Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra
What: This holiday tradition features seasonal choral works by Williams, Rutter, Handel and others, but it's also memorable for its singalongs and candlelight procession.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $35-$55
Information: (530) 754-2787, www.sacramentochoral.com
Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King
Sacramento Master Singers
What: Holiday choral music includes "Ave Regina Caelorum" by Peter Philips, "Chanukah Fantasia" by Coreen Duffy, and the titular "Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King" by Moses Hogan, among others.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Dec. 17; 7 p.m. Dec. 21
Where: St. Francis Church, 1066 22nd St., Sacramento
Tickets: $20
Information: (916) 788-7464, www.mastersingers.org
Holiday Concert
Sacramento Korean Choral Society
What: Sue-hye Kim directs holiday music that includes folk and pop songs of Korean and Western heritages. Members of the Sacramento Youth Symphony will also perform in this eighth annual concert.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Stage One, Three Stages at Folsom Lake College, 10 College Parkway, Folsom
Tickets: $15-$25
Information: (916) 608-6888, www.threestages.net
A Chanticleer Christmas
What: America's premiere male chamber choir performs holiday choral music from around the world.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1017 11th St., Sacramento
Tickets: $32-$54
Information: (415) 252-8589, www.chanticleer.org
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Blind Boys of Alabama
What: This holiday music will be served up with the warm glow from this group of excellent gospel singers, with special guests Sara and Sean Watkins.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $25-$49
Information: (530) 754-2787, www.MondaviArts.org
Messiah
American Bach Soloists
What: Noted countertenor Ian Howell and soprano Mary Wilson are among the soloists who will sing Handel's perennial holiday masterwork.
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $17.50-$55
Information: (916)788-7464, www.americanbach.org
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