If you go
› What: A Ceremony of Carols› Where: Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St.› When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13› Admission: $15, $10 for students, free for ages 11 and younger› For more information: http:/choralartsofchattanooga.org
What were the angels thinking about before they sang to the shepherds on the night of Jesus' birth? Christina Rosetti's poem "Love Came Down at Christmas" reveals her answer to that question, set to music by Daniel E. Gawthrop.
That number will be part of Choral Arts of Chattanooga's holiday concert, "A Ceremony of Carols," on Thursday, Dec. 13, at Second Presbyterian Church. The singers will be directed by Darrin Hassevoort, accompanied by Jason DuRoy on organ,piano, flute and percusson.
"Our concert also features Caroline Hudson on the harp," says Hassevoort. "We have guest percussionists Preston Gonter, Jasmine Burgess, and Stewart Hudson who will be featured with soprano, Neshawn Calloway, on Roland Carter's 'Mary Had A Baby' and a Nigerian carol, 'Betelehemu.'"
"A Ceremony of Carols" has been designed to present "music to warm the heart," mingling local holiday favorites with international selections.
Popular carols on the program will include "O Come, All Ye Faithful" by Dan Forrest and "Joy to the World, a tune by Handel, adapted by American composer Lowell Mason and arranged by English composer John Rutter.
The highlight of the program will be Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols."
Soloists in the program will be Neshawn Calloway, Sammie Brown, Laura Ayers, Sara Coffman and Judy Faulkner.
Tickets are $15, which includes a reception following the performance. They will be available at the door, or may be purchased in advance at https://choralartsofchattanooga.weebly.com/store/p12/A_Ceremony_of_Carols%2C_ADULT_TICKET.html.