Season shines with choral gems through the centuries

Choral music shines brightly at Christmastime, with familiar carols and ancient gems celebrating the sacred birth. Accompanied by strings, percussion, and organ, sOICES Chorale will bring Christmas choral music, ancient and modern, to life during its annual Christmas concerts on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3 and 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, and on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Anchor Presbyterian Church, 980 Durham Road (Rte 413F, Wrightstown. Drawing from 1200 years of choral music, sOICES’ concert includes chants from the 8th century, a Palestrina “Hodie” from the Renaissance, and favorites by Monteverdi and Handel from the Baroque. Other gems include Mendelssohn’s There Shall a Star from gacob Come Forth, Tchaikovsky’s The Crown of Roses, and the up-tempo Hodie (2000F by Britisher games Whitbourn. Each piece was chosen for the intimate accoustics of Trinity Church, Princeton. Families will enjoy the variety of the music presented and can join in singing a few well-known carols.

Conducting are Dr. Lyn Ransom, music director, and Andrew Monath, associate conductor. Camilla garnot, sOICES’ accompanist, will be at the organ.

General admission tickets are A20 in advance and A25 at the door. Family passes are available for A50 in advance and A55 at the door. Children and students with ID will be admitted for A10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sOICESChorale. org, by leaving a message at 609-637-9383, or at the door. Both venues are handicapped-accessible.