by Robert Mason Jr.
“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”—Martin Luther
As we reflect upon this season of giving, listen to the music. There are several opportunities in the coming weeks to hear Christmas music and to share it with others.
Chesapeake Chorale Christmas concerts are slated at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3, and 3 p.m. Sunday, December 4. Concerts will be held Friday at the Northumberland County Schools Performing Arts Theater, 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville; Saturday at the Lancaster Middle School Theater, 191 School Street, Kilmarnock; and Sunday at St. Clare Walker Middle School Auditorium, 6814 General Puller Highway, Locust Hill.
Tickets are $10. Advance tickets may be purchased at Bank of Lancaster in Kilmarnock, White Stone and Burgess; as well as Chesapeake Bank and EVB in Kilmarnock; Country Cottage in White Stone; Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington; and Lillian Lumber in Burgess.
The Community Chorus Christmas concert will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 4, at Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church, 345 Earl Street, Tappahannock. The concert will feature classics, favorites, carols, a cappella, bells, sing-a-longs and a silly song.
The Foundation for Historic Christ Church hosts the The Holly & The Ivy, an annual caroling program, at 3:30 p.m. Monday, December 5, at Christ Church, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems. The Chesapeake Chorale and Christchurch School Cantorion will lead the caroling, Admission is two nonperishable goods to be donated to the Northern Neck Food Bank. Refreshments will be served in the Bayne Center.
The Northumberland County Historical Society will celebrate the Christmas season from 2:30 to 4 p.m. December 11 at Ball Memorial Library and Museum, 86 Back Street, Heathsville. Society members and the public are welcome to attend this Christmas “meet and greet” celebration. Dr. Susan Anthony-Tolbert will offer seasonal music on the harp, including traditional favorites, Celtic Christmas selections and some of the music of J.S. Bach.
Christchurch School will present its 36th annual Festival of Lessons and Carols December 11 in St. Peter’s Chapel on the school campus, 49 Seahorse Lane, Christchurch. There will be seatings at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Reservations are required. RSVP to [email protected], or 758-2306, ext. 134.
Cantori Choral Ensemble, under the direction of Agnes French, will present its 2016 Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. December 11 at Grace Episcopal Church, 303 South Main Street, Kilmarnock. An offering will be received in support of Cantori.
Christmas by the Bay will be presented by the Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce at 7 p.m. December 16 at the Lancaster Playhouse, 361 Chesapeake Drive, White Stone. This concert featuring James Justin & Co. with special guest David Graham will offer Christmas music with a bluegrass twist.
Tickets are $25 each and include a copy of JJ&Co.’s new CD “12.25.82.” Proceeds will benefit the Northern Neck Food Bank. Beer and wine will be available. Patrons must be age 21 or older.
The Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts 2016-17 On Stage concert series will continue December 17 with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble. The holiday concert will begin at 3 p.m. at the Lancaster Middle School Theater, 191 School Street, Kilmarnock.
Admission is by season subscription, or $35 at rappahannockfoundation.org, or 438-5555. If available, tickets will be $40 at the door.
Concert tickets make a great stocking stuffer. Upcoming On Stage shows will include Danu, offering a mix of ancient Irish tunes and new Celtic repertoire, on March 15; and Shadows of the 60s, offering Motown hits spanning three decades, on April 15.
The Nouvelet Chamber Choir will present its seventh annual Christmas concerts at 5 p.m. December 17 and 18 at White Stone United Methodist Church, 118 Methodist Church Road, White Stone.
Churches throughout the community will present special Christmas music programs during the holiday season.
Touring singer/songwriter Shane Cooley will perform a free holiday homecoming show at 6 p.m. December 21 at Rappahannock Grill, 37 North Main Street, Kilmarnock.
For a lasting impression, stuff those stockings with “On Christmas Day in the Morning,” a new CD from Spencer & Beane. The CD, by local musicians Matthew Spencer and Mei-Li Garcia Beane, sells for $10 and may be purchased at spencerandbeane.com.
“Let us have music for Christmas…Sound the trumpet of joy and rebirth; Let each of us try, with a song in our hearts, to bring peace to men on earth.”—Mildred L. Jarrell
