What Makes Christmas 2026 Special

As we prepare for our "Love Is on the Way" Christmas concerts, we want to share a glimpse of what makes this season truly special. Every year brings its own character, but 2026 is filled with elements that make it shine — new music, treasured collaborators, and a repertoire that celebrates both joy and wonder.

Featured Instrumentalists

This Christmas season is enriched by the artistry of four wonderful instrumental musicians who join our 95‑voice chorus to create a sound full of warmth, color, and joy.

• Ginny Fairchild, violin, brings expressive beauty and a lyrical glow to the program, adding depth and elegance to several of this year’s selections.

• John Lawless, percussion, returns with his signature creativity and joyful energy — and is featured prominently in our newly commissioned arrangement of Jolly Old St. Nicholas.

We are also grateful for our own outstanding collaborative accompanists:

• Cathy Adams, piano, whose musicianship anchors the ensemble with clarity, sensitivity, and brilliance.

• Randy Romig, organ, whose artistry adds grandeur and warmth — and who also joins Cathy for several delightful piano four‑hands pieces that bring sparkle and charm to the season.

Together, these four instrumentalists help shape the sound of our Christmas concerts, creating moments of beauty, excitement, and heartfelt celebration.

Newly Commissioned Works

This year features two brand‑new commissioned pieces, created especially for Georgia Festival Chorus:

• Jolly Old St. Nicholas — a playful, percussion‑packed arrangement written to showcase John Lawless and bring a burst of festive fun to the stage.

• Advent and Adoration — our newly commissioned finale, blending Come, Thou Long‑Expected Jesus and O Come, All Ye Faithful into one radiant moment of hope and celebration.

These commissions reflect our commitment to bringing fresh, meaningful music to our audiences — and we can’t wait for you to experience them.

A Repertoire Full of Beauty and Joy

Surrounding these new works is a program rich with beloved carols, rhythmic surprises, and luminous moments of reflection. From the energy of Patapan to the quiet beauty of Wexford Carol, this year’s repertoire is crafted to lift hearts and celebrate the season with depth and delight.

Mark Your Calendar

We hope you’ll join us for one of our complimentary Christmas concerts this year:

• November 22, 4PM - McEachern Memorial UMC, Powder Springs

• November 29, 6PM - Calvary Baptist Church, Smyrna

• December 1, 7PM — Acworth UMC, Acworth

• December 3, 7PM — Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Sandy Springs

• *December 5, 4PM — The Fellowship at County Line, Acworth*

• December 8, 7PM — Northside Drive Baptist Church, Atlanta

* This concert features our smaller Chamber Group, the GF Ensemble

It will be a season filled with joy, artistry, and the warmth of community. We look forward to sharing it with you.

More details at Listen