The Washington Chorus slowly filed into the darkened Concert Hall at The Kennedy Center, with candles in hand. It was a solemn, yet beautiful start of the Chorus’ annual “A Candlelight Christmas” presentation as the singers sang, “Once in Royal David’s City.”
It was a celebration as the spendor of brass, organ, percussion, and the 200-voice Washington Chorus served to make this pouplar holiday event exquisite in every way.
Music Director Julian Wachner, earlier this year led the Chorus to win Chorus America’s 2016 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence arranged many of the evening’s songs, including Un Flambeau, Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High and others.
The Washington Chorus continued with its tradition of supporting the musical gifts of area high school students through Side-By-Side, a program where the Chorus work with high school singing groups was also part of the event. The Northwest High School Chamber Singers are featured this year with Stephanie Baker as Director and H-B Woodlawn, Chamber Singers.
It was an afternoon of music filled with traditional carols and sing-alongs to festive holiday tunes. The music was flavored by the exquisite besuty of brass, organ, percussion, and the 200-voices that made up the Washington Chorus.
American operatic tenor Carl Tanner was impeccable in tone on “O Holy Night” and briefy returned to solo on “The Dream Isaiah Saw.” The afternoon ended with the always opulent and glorious, “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah.
A Candlelight Christmas plays through Thursday, December 22, 2016 at The Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall — 2700 F Street, NW, in Washington, DC. For ticket information, click here.
Access Granted Journal 