Missouri State University’s Chorale will perform its first Christmas concert in several years at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at Christ Episcopal Church.

“There have been other holiday and Christmas performances, but the Chorale hasn’t performed a Christmas concert in quite some time,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor in Music and Director of Choral Studies.

Christ Episcopal Church is hosting the Chorale for the Christmas concert as part of its newly formed concert series, LaBarr said.

Not your typical Christmas concert

The concert will feature music not always heard during the holiday season, according to LaBarr.

“This is not the typical Christmas concert,” LaBarr said. “This concert ranges from Gregorian Chant to contemporary choral music to traditional carol arrangements.”

“One of the unique aspects of this particular concert is the intimacy of the space at Christ Episcopal Church,” LaBarr explained. “That led us to choose and prepare music that perhaps speaks in a different way than what might normally be heard at a regular holiday concert.”

“We’ll do some relatively substantial choral music, including works by Irish Composer Michael McGlynn and American composers/arrangers Alice Parker, Alfred Burt, and Susan LaBarr, among others,” LaBarr added.

With a theme of “tidings of joy,” the concert will explore “the intersection of ritual, faith, wonder, awe, joy, warmth and empathy,” LaBarr said.

Seating is limited. Advance tickets are recommended.

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