Holiday 2025: Sing We Now of Christmas

Program and director notes from Georgia Festival Chorus' performance of Sing We Now of Christmas in 2025.

David Scott, Artistic Director

with

Cathy Adams, piano

Randall Romig, organ & piano

Michael Cromwell, Associate Director

Ken Terrell, Assistant Director

Kelly Grba, Conducting Intern

featuring

Sarah Kapps, cello

Laura Christian, flute

John Lawless, percussion

"It’s surprising how busy and complex our lives have become. From our involvement in everyday events and responsibilities to the ongoing crush of current events, it seems there is rarely enough time to acknowledge the great gifts of life that surround us. And so it was when the angels interrupted the shepherds with the glorious news of ‘Peace on earth, good will to men’ approximately 2000 years ago. Craig Courtney’s Festival Gloria is an exciting interruption that crashes into the beginning of our season, bringing the same desperately needed message to

modern ears.

Sing We Now of Christmas is not just our concert theme, as ‘All the earth rejoices, hope is born again’ encapsulates this glorious message into a single word: Noel!

The flow of love and honor at Christmas is given identity and explained via Elaine Hagenberg’s All Praise to Thee and Jantz Black’s Of the Father’s Love Begotten, connecting the Eternal God to our humble response. We see the historic event in Where Shepherds Lately Knelt and reflect on its personal impact with Kyle Pederson’s striking and ethereal arrangement of I Wonder As I Wander, where the word Emmanuel is set to bring home the message “God is with us.”

I’m sure you’ll enjoy singing White Christmas with us as our first sing-along piece - it’s a

perennial favorite! And the lopsided, rhythmic experience of James McKelvy’s Deck the Halls

in 7/8 is such fun. Will Todd’s My Lord Has Come and Dan Forrest’s arrangement of Angels

From the Realms of Glory reset and restate the Noel message, and Donald McCullough brings an imperative response to Go, Tell It On the Mountain in a down-to-earth gospel style. Next, please join in as we share our second delightful sing-along carol: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

Bells are a joyful symbol of Christmas, and we’re excited to share two festive pieces that

highlight their charm. Mack Wilberg’s exuberant arrangement of Ding! Dong! Merrily on High captures the season’s spirit, while Leroy Anderson’s beloved Sleigh Ride sparkles in a delightful piano four-hand rendition. Finally, we invite you to raise your voices with us in the last verse as we sing the Steven Strite arrangement of Joy! to the World - after all, that’s what Noel is all about!"

David Scott, Georgia Festival Chorus Artistic Director