Choral Artists of Sarasota Presents
“Peace on Earth”
Sunday, December 11, at Church of the Redeemer
Ring in the holidays with a traditional concert featuring carols resounding with themes of peace interspersed with “In Terra Pax,” a work of childlike serenity that is both intimate and universal by British composer Gerald Finzi.

(November 15, 2022) Choral Artists of Sarasota’s 44th season, entitled “United in Song,” continues with “Peace on Earth,” Sunday, December 11, 7 p.m., at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. The Choral Artists singers, conducted by Artistic Director Joseph Holt, will sing traditional holiday carols resounding with themes of peace that are interspersed with “In Terra Pax,” a work of childlike serenity that is both intimate and universal by celebrated British composer Gerald Finzi. Soloists include Danielle Talamantes, soprano; Kerry Wilkerson, baritone; Susan Versage, piano; and Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe, organ. Kevin Trapasso, associate conductor, will also conduct some of the selections. Tickets are $35; students $5. A “Meet the Music” session with Holt is Thursday, December 1, 5:30-7 p.m., at Art to Walk On, 16 South Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota. The event, free to all ticket holders for the concert, includes a wine and hors d’oeuvre reception and a presentation by Holt with musical guests highlighting the program. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org or call 941-387-4900.

“The music of the holiday season is nurturing and soothing and some of the most familiar and recognizable tunes bathe us in a cradle of comfort,” says Holt. “Selecting peace as a central motive for this concert has provided inspiration to program some of our most cherished carols alongside newer songs with a similar message.”

The program includes “In Terra Pax” by Gerald Finzi. “This piece, one of the most beloved settings of the Christmas scene from the 20th century, is the cornerstone of this performance,” says Holt. He adds that Finzi incorporates the poetry of Robert Bridges with passages from St. Luke’s version of the Christmas story, creating a work that is sublime and dramatic and features baritone and soprano soloists. “Using musical quotes from ‘The First Noel,’ Finzi weaves a musical thread that is mystical, spiritual and splendidly glorious in scope,” says Holt. The two guest soloists for this work are Danielle Talamantes and Kerry Wilkerson, who have appeared on past programs with Choral Artists.

Other familiar classics of the season, including “O Holy Night,” “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” are featured throughout the concert in creative arrangements, underscoring the overall message of peace for all during this season.

Holt says that Choral Artist’s “United in Song” season “takes us on a journey of renewal, with hope for a brighter future for all. These performances speak to our common humanity as people of faith, people yearning for peace in a discordant world, people seeking justice, people finding consolation in music, and people enjoying the freedoms afforded us by our American principles. The five performances we will present in our 2022-2023 season bring us together through song, a symphony of vocal sound that expresses our inner thoughts and emotions.”

This year’s season is sponsored, in part, by the State of Florida, the Department of State, the Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.