Season of song
Whitworth College presents this year’s Christmas Festival Concert, “Magnificat _ We Magnify the Lord,” in three performances Friday and Saturday at First Presbyterian Church.
The concerts will feature the Whitworth Choir and the college women’s chorus, Trouveres, with the assistance of brass, string and percussion ensembles. Whitworth theater professor emeritus Pat Stien will narrate and give readings.
Music on the program includes congregational carols for Advent and Christmas, as well as Jean Berger’s “Magnificat” for soprano solo, mixed chorus, flute and tambourine. The “Magnificat” is the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Luke 1:46-55, one of three evangelical canticles in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke.
Concerts are Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m. at the church, 318 S. Cedar St. Tickets are $15, by calling 467-9397 or through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
Spokane Area Children’s Chorus
“The Seven Joys of the Season,” a program of music celebrating winter, Christmas and Hanukkah, will be performed by the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus on Friday and Saturday at Westminster Congregational Church.
The five choirs of the Children’s Chorus will perform individually and also join for the concert-ending “The Seven Joys of Christmas,” accompanied by Spokane Symphony harpist Camille Peterson. The seven-movement piece incorporates holiday favorites with some lesser-known works.
Symphony clarinetist Chip Phillips and violinist Lydia Newell will accompany the Ensemble Choir in “That First Christmas of All,” by former King’s Singers member Bob Chilcott. That choir also will perform movements of Imogen Holst’s “The Sun’s Journey” throughout the concert.
Performances will be Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. at the church, 411 S. Washington St. Tickets are $6 for reserved balcony seating, $5 general admission, by calling 624-7992.
Kosher Red Hots at CenterStage
The Klezmer band Kosher Red Hots plays a dinner concert in celebration of the Hannukah season on Sunday at CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave.
The Seattle-based band plays everything from jaunty Klezmer tunes to swinging Yiddish theater numbers to poignant folk songs from the old country, with audience dancing encouraged. Members include vocalist Sheila Fox, clarinetist Liz Dreisbach, accordionist Toby Hanson and bassist Eugene Jablonsky.
A menu featuring Jewish dishes will be served starting at 5:30 p.m., with the music beginning at 7. Tickets are $43 for the dinner and show, $22 for show only ($17 for children 17 and under), through the CenterStage box office (747-8243) and TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
Advent music at Lourdes
Vivaldi’s “Gloria” will highlight an Advent concert on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside Ave.
The Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Handbell Choir will also perform selections by Gabrrielli, Rutter and others. Admission is free; donations will be accepted.
Evening of Treble Music
Three treble choirs will combine for a free concert of seasonal music Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 24th and Grand Boulevard.
The Canterbury Belles of Ferris High School will perform Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols,” accompanied by harpist Leslie Stratton-Norris. Also featured will be the Ladies Ensemble of Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, made up of Japanese college students, and Holy Names Music Center’s Treble Choir, an adult community chorus.