Staff Report
The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale and Chamber Orchestra will perform their holiday concert series, “Christmas Around the World,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.
Under the direction of Dr. Michael Eglin, the chorale and orchestra promise to fill hearts with the joy of the holidays through music.
“This is a special way to celebrate the holidays in the valley, and one not to be missed,” said Eglin. “We chose pieces from around the world, including beloved and familiar carols, forgotten classics and new, hauntingly beautiful fare. The selections are purposefully eclectic. Some are traditional, others modern. Some are chants or carols based on specific texts in the Bible, while others celebrate poems or were written for opera.”
The program includes Christ Church Bells, an American Colonial folk carol; Riu, Riu, Chiu, a Spanish Christmas carol; African Alleluia, a rhythmic celebration based on traditional African music, and Salvation is Created, a Communion hymn based on a Ukrainian chant melody.
The program also includes more familiar pieces, including the beloved The First Noel, O Sing a Song of Bethlehem, and Carol of the Bells.
Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (65 and over) and youth (18 and under) and there is a $2 processing fee for tickets purchased online.
Chorale president Erica Miller said she is proud of the board’s decision to lower prices from previous years.
“We want everyone in our community to be able to attend this concert so we’ve significantly lowered the prices. We have to cover our costs, such as renting the Veterans Building, but our goal is to keep prices down and fill the hall with an audience that goes away touched by the joyful message behind our choral music,” she said.
Tickets may be purchased at The Book Loft and El Rancho Market, from chorale members, online at www.syvchorale.org, or at the door.
The chorale is a nonprofit organization, coming into its 41st year of presenting beautiful choral music in the Santa Ynez Valley. The chorale includes novice and professional singers from their teens into their eighties, brought together by a love of music and the joy of singing.
