arts & entertainment

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas on the Treasure Coast. Music lovers can kick off the Christmas season with a performance of the Pinkham Christmas Cantata and other holiday favorites by the Vero Beach Choral Society, in a pair of concerts on Saturday and Sunday, December 2 & 3 at 4:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard. The 60-member choral ensemble will perform the three-movement Christmas Cantata under the baton of Dr. Jacob Craig, featuring Ryan Kasten on organ. Written in 1957, Christmas Cantata (subtitled Sinfonia Sacra) is the most famous work of American composer, Daniel Pinkham. Additional songs of the season include “Silent Night,” “Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day,” “African Noel,” “Hanukkah!” and more. Featured soloists for the program of Christmas music include Laura Glunt, Julia Glunt, James Morris, Eric Martinez, Leif Clark, Sonya Yassi, Amy Hudson, Roger Compton, Tom McManus and Brandon Glick. The nonprofit Vero Beach Choral Society has been thrilling audiences since its formation in 1984. Admission to the Christmas Cantata is free, with a $10 suggested donation. For more information, visit www.VeroBeachChoralSociety.org or call (207) 650-0094.       

Dr. Jacob Craig, Artistic Director and Conductor for the Vero Beach Choral Society, believes the concert may be the perfect event to get attendees in the spirit, featuring both serious and playful works composed for the Christmas season.

“While several of these pieces are familiar, the arrangements are spectacular and showcase the melodies in new and refreshing ways,” said Dr. Craig, who also is the director of music and arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. “The concert blends ‘serious’ beautiful music like the Pinkham ‘Christmas Cantata,’ with very exciting and fun music like ‘A Musicological Journey of the Twelve Days of Christmas.”‘ 

The Vero Beach Choral Society Christmas Cantata is just one of many events sponsored or hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, known for its musical and artistic outreach to the Central Florida community. For a list of upcoming events or for more information about First Presbyterian of Vero Beach, visit www.FirstPresVero.org.