Arizona Repertory Singers closes out its 40th anniversary year this weekend with its three-concert series of classic holiday choral works and fan-favorite carols.
Expect to hear the choir’s voices hit the rafters of Christ United Methodist Church on the opening nights Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, when the choir sings the jubilant “Ding Dong Merrily on High” and the resonant “Carol of the Bells,” accompanied by handbells arranged by Peter Joseph Wilhousky before the choir adds a sense of holy somber to the reflective “Away in a Manger.”
A string quartet joins the fun for Ola Gjeilo’s “The Ground” and Elaine Hagenberg’s “Sussex Carol” as the singers get their audiences in the mood for the holidays. The program also includes Tomás Luis de Victoria’s version of “O Magnum Mysterium” and two works by renowned English composer and conductor John Rutter — “Candlelight Carol,” an ode to a mother’s love, and “Angels’ Carol,” with its sweet harmonies and message of peace and joy.
The holiday concert has been part of Arizona Repertory Singers’ DNA nearly since Dennis Bonner formed the group in 1984. He led them until 1990, when Jeffry Jahn took over as music director. Jahn was at the helm until his death in 2015.
Today, the group is led by Ryan Phillips, who was named music director in 2019.
This weekend’s concerts begin at 3 p.m. at Christ United, 655 N. Craycroft Road. The concert repeats at 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Oro Valley’s St. Mark Catholic Church, 2727 W. Tangerine Road.
Tickets are $22 through arsingers.org; it’s $25 at the door.
