arts & entertainment

For Christians around the globe, Christmas is a time of celebration and rejoicing. Music lovers can immerse themselves in the sound of the season with a performance of the Vero Beach Choral Society during Rejoice! on Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 PM at Saint John of the Cross Catholic Church, 7550 26th Street in Vero Beach.

The 30-member choral ensemble will present works by Italian, French and English composers in the festive Christmas performance, including the a cappella motet “Ave Maria” by Giuseppe Verdi, from his “Quattro pezzi sacri” collection of choral works. Rejoice in the Lamb is a cantata composed by Benjamin Britten in 1943 for choir and organ. Its dynamic emotions ultimately culminate in a sense of peaceful, spiritual affirmation. The centerpiece of Rejoice! is the Oratorio de Noël by Camille Saint-Saëns. Known for its pastoral, lyrical, and charming atmosphere, the oratorio was written in just 12 days and uses biblical and liturgical texts to describe the Christmas story. 

Rejoice! will be performed under the baton of Dr. Jacob Craig, accompanied by Ryan Kasten on organ. A dozen soloists from throughout the choir will be featured during the one-hour concert with no intermission. The nonprofit Vero Beach Choral Society has been thrilling audiences since its formation in 1984. Admission to Rejoice! is free, with a $10 suggested donation. For more information, visit www.VeroBeachChoralSociety.org or call 772-217-5511.       

Dr. Jacob Craig, Artistic Director and Conductor for the Vero Beach Choral Society, believes the concert will be an uplifting holiday experience for attendees.

“This is an afternoon of truly beautiful Christmas music,” said Craig, a well-known pianist and arts figure on the Treasure Coast. “Twelve talented soloists from the choir will help convey the sacred message of the season.”

The Vero Beach Choral Society’s Rejoice! is one of two major concerts performed yearly by the auditioned group. Singers who wish to join the organization can apply online at www.verobeachchoralsociety.org.