The second annual Yuletide Candlelight Concert will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 2, and again at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3. The music will be festive and soulful with Christmas and seasonal favorites, children’s voices and brass.
“It’s a family-friendly event that should become an Asheville tradition,” says Taryn Jackson, singer and board member of the Asheville Choral Society. “During last year’s Yuletide Candlelight concert, the singers in the choir processed into the sanctuary, holding candles while singing—and it was breathtaking. The location, Trinity Episcopal, is a really beautiful venue, a neo-Gothic church with medieval-themed stained glass windows that were just restored this fall.”
The Choral Society will also be joined during the performance by the Celebration Singers of Asheville, a community youth choir directed by Ginger Haselden. Concert selections will include Ave Maria by Franz Biebl, the classic Carol of the Bells, Ola Gjeilo’s arrangement of The Coventry Carol and James MacMillan’s stunning Who Are These Angels?
“The Asheville Choral Society represents all areas of Asheville,” says Dr. Melodie Galloway, the artistic director for the choir. “There are many younger adults, and it’s very diverse in terms of age and occupations in the community. It’s a great social environment, and it shows. I always joke with the members, telling them that they work much too hard to have that much fun.”
The Asheville Choral Society is celebrating its 40th season, and will perform two more concerts in March and April before touring Europe in May.
Trinity Episcopal Church is located on 60 Church Street, Asheville. Ticket prices are $10 for students, $20 for adults or $25 at the door. They can be purchased at ashevillechoralsociety.org or by calling 828.232.2060.
