Arts & Entertainment

Chorus Readies for Annual Christmas Concert

The Bristol County Chorus to perform its 33rd Christmas concert on Sunday; it's still referred to as the 'many moods' concert.

The 33rd annual Christmas concert by the Bristol County Chorus – often referred to as the “many moods of Christmas" concert -- is Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8.

“A Bristol Christmas” starts at 3 pm in St. Mary’s Church on Wood Street in Bristol.

Expect about two hours of selections by Handel, Berlioz and Poulenc as well as from “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” said director and founder Joan Roth.

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The guest artists this year will be members of the Mt. Hope High School Vocal Ensemble. The chorus and ensemble will be accompanied by a professional orchestra.

“The concert has certainly changed and evolved over the years,” said Roth.  “We sang ‘Many Moods’ for years. That’s why it’s still got that name. But ‘Many Moods’ belongs to Robert Shaw. We can’t officially use that music anymore.”

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You can still expect beautiful music from the chorus, which is comprised of volunteers from all over the East Bay and neighboring cities and towns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Roth said.

“We’re not professional singers,” she said. “Anybody who wants to sing without a professional music background and wants to learn the music can participate.”

And when everyone is singing and harmonizing, she said, you would never know they aren’t professionals.

The chorus was formed in 1981 by Roth, a former music instructor at Roger Williams University. It has presented a Christmas concert every year since its start. 

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  For further information, call (401) 253-8106.


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