Staff Report

Local residents and visitors can enjoy the holidays with the Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale performing a joyful program of classical and not-so-classical music at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, or at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

The community chorus will be performing with its youth ensemble and a professional orchestra. The concerts will also include numbers by the Valley Wind Ensemble and Mystique, a local girls acapella group.

Advance tickets are being sold at a 10 percent discount until Nov. 13 at syvchorale.org.

“The chorale, youth ensemble and our orchestra have been rehearsing diligently for months in order to share this magnificent music with our community, said chorale president Shannon Casey. “Our 40^th anniversary is a special year for us, and we want to celebrate it with our family, friends, and patrons.”

Started in 1978, the chorale has presented luscious works by Bach, Mozart, Handel, Schubert, Brahms and Beethoven as well as many outstanding contemporary composers. This year, under Dr. Michael Eglin’s baton, Bach’s exuberant and dramatic “Magnificat” (written in Leipzig for 1723 Christmas vespers) will be the centerpiece of the concert followed by more contemporary and lyrical compositions and holiday carols.

For more information, go to syvchorale.org.