Continuing a sixty-two year tradition, the Bach Society of Saint Louis will perform its annual Christmas Candlelight Concert Tuesday, December 17, at Powell Hall. The Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra will be joined by the UMSL University Singers in a program opening with the "Gloria in excelsis Deo" from Bach's Mass in B Minor and featuring John Rutter’s “Gloria.”
As always, a highlight of the concert will be a candlelight processional.
“The very first time I conducted this concert in 1986, I thought ‘Wow, if I could just dump this candlelight procession, this would be so much easier to do.’ Because there was so much involved in getting people to walk down the aisle, and be at the right place at the right time, and to memorize all the music,” said music director and conductor A. Dennis Sparger. “I quickly learned that this is what people love. And we have maintained it ever since and probably always will.”
In addition to classical choral pieces, arrangements of well-known carols will also be performed.
“I think it gives a nice variety for whatever you’re interested in,” said executive director and principal singer Melissa Payton. “If you’re interested in the classics, you get to hear a little bit of that. But a lot of people really love to come and just hear Christmas carols. And the candlelight processional, where we travel through singing down the aisle -that’s always a special time during the concert that everyone looks forward to.”
Related Event
Bach Society of Saint Louis Presents a Christmas Candlelight Concert
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
7:30 p.m.
Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd.
For more information, call 314-652-2224 or visit the Bach Society of Saint Louis website.
Cityscape is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer, hosted by Steve Potter and funded in part by the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.