Several area choirs, including the Cathedral Choir, the Marquette Choral Society, the UP Barbershop and the Marquette Male Chorus, will present a Festival of Carols with audience participation! The choirs will each offer their own Christmas selections in addition to joining together with the audience in singing rousing arrangements of familiar Christmas carols by Sir David Willcocks, John Rutter, and many more!
The Mirandola Ensemble is a professional choral ensemble promoting the highest standards of choral music. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization, it has served multiple years as a Class Notes Artist-in-Residence for Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). Their albums are available on all of the major streaming services, such as iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. Led by Artistic Director and tenor, Nicholas Chalmers, the centerpiece of the concert will be William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices.
Samuel Holmberg, Diocesan and Cathedral Director of Sacred Music, presents a solo recital on the symphonies for the “king of instruments.” Featured will be symphonic works by two of the composers who revolutionized this art form, Louis Vierne and Ludwig van Beethoven, in celebration of their 150th and 250th birthdays! Watch the recording online at https://youtu.be/DwPIvgH-a0c
In recognition of the historical, cultural and musical significance of Notre Dame Cathedral in the wake of the devastating fire that broke out on April 25, 2019, the Cathedral offers a special concert in remembrance of this edifice, which has been central in the development of sacred music for the past 850 years! The Cathedral Choir, accompanied by the Cathedral Brass and organ, will showcase the French instrumental and choral works that have been composed for Notre Dame and by its musicians, including works by Louis Vierne, Maurice Duruflé, and Olivier Latry, as well as the world premiere of four improvisations for Notre Dame, especially transcribed and commissioned for this concert!