Free And For Me

As the holiday season approaches, I am scheduling things to do for my family’s 25 days of Christmas activities. For the past four years, we commit ourselves to do something as a family for 25 days.  We are always looking for fun things to do in December in Los Angeles.   We have included visiting Disney Concert Hall to our list of activities.  One of our favorite things to do is going to Christmas concerts in Los Angeles.

On December 8, 2019, we will be listening to The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), led by Artistic Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, as they ring in the season with A Ceremony of Carols, one of composer Benjamin Britten’s most beloved works, in the sparkling acoustics of Walt Disney Concert Hall as part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s prestigious “Sounds About Town” series. Harp virtuoso Cristina Montes joins the chorus as a special guest. Written for treble voices and set to a range of medieval texts, the carols each have their own identity and color, creating a delightful sense of discovery as the timeless masterpiece unfolds.

LACC adds a unique twist to A Ceremony of Carols with Malvar-Ruiz interspersing between its 12 movements accompanying works that link either musically or thematically to the movements they proceed. Among the companion works are Swedish composer Jan Sandsrom’s ethereal 1990 choral arrangement of Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming; National Medal of Arts recipient Morten Lauridsen’s quintessential setting of O Magnum Mysterium; Ola Gjeilo’s stunning soundscape Tundra, set to lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri written specifically for the work to reflect the barren and beautiful Norwegian mountain plateau where the composer’s father grew up; and Ēriks Ešenvalds breathtaking Stars, a setting of words by Sara Teasdale composed in 2011 for choir and water-tuned glasses. In addition, LACC has commissioned a new arrangement of Silent Night from award-winning Spanish composer Juan Colomer, which is being premiered at the concert.

“I can’t think of a more perfect setting to perform A Ceremony of Carols than Walt Disney Concert Hall during the holidays,” says Malvar-Ruiz. “To hear children’s voices raised in song there, especially during the Christmas season, is pure sonic delight. LACC’s contemporary commentary on the work is intended to build a unique, joyful and uplifting experience centered around a piece that has been a staple for the holidays since its creation.”

Six of LACC’s choirs are featured in the program, including the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Mixed Choir, under the direction of Malvar-Ruiz; the Young Men’s Ensemble led by Dr. Steven Kronauer; the Intermediate Choir, led by Mandy Brigham; and the Apprentice Choir, led by Interim Conductor Eric Lifland.

Tickets are $17, $34 and $45.  For tickets and information, visit www.lachildrenschorus.org or call (626) 793-4231. Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Hurry and purchase your tickets!   You do not want to miss out on a fun-filled night of Christmas music.

My family is looking forward to listening to this Los Angeles Children’s Choir at the Disney Concert Hall.