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Old North Festival Chorus | Rehearsals

Registration & First Rehearsal: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 7pm
Subsequent Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings, 7:30pm to 9pm (9:30pm for the weeks leading up the the concerts)

Saturday morning rehearsal sessions -- 10am to 12noon -- as needed

 

Old North Festival Chorus | Holiday Concerts 2026

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 8pm

Sunday, December 6, 2026, 7:30pm
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Maria van Kalken, Minister of Music and Director of the Old North Festival Chorus & Orchestra, has announced that Rehearsals and Registration for the 46th annual Old North Festival Chorus 2026 Holiday Concerts will take place on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in the Sanctuary at Old North Church.  Please arrive early to register; registration begins at 7pm and a rehearsal will follow promptly thereafter at 7:30pm.  All singers are welcome! 

 

While participation in the Festival Chorus requires no audition, previous choral experience is expected.  Singers are required to purchase their own musical scores (provided at registration); beyond the purchase of musical scores, a nominal registration fee will be collected as well.  Rehearsals will take place from 7:30pm to 9pm every Wednesday; as the performance dates approach (Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 8pm and Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 7:30pm), rehearsals will extend to 9:30pm.

The centerpiece of the upcoming December 2026 Festival Chorus Concerts is a stunningly beautiful Christmas Mass (Missa per il Sanctissimo Natale di Nostro Signore) composed by Giovanni Alberto Ristori, a contemporary of Vivaldi.  Our concert program will begin with the opening chorus of J.S. Bach’s magnificent Christmas Oratorio.  The “pops portion” of the concert will honor the ongoing celebration of the 250th anniversary of America, with a focus on music by American composers and arrangers, including spirituals, jazz arrangements, and culminating with the beloved A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas by Craig Courtney.  As always, our program will also include traditional music of the season and carols with audience participation, and all accompanied by the outstanding Old North Festival Orchestra.

High school-aged students – grades 9-12 – are encouraged to join the adult singers of Festival Chorus!  Each of the four sections – soprano, alto, tenor, and bass-baritone – is led by our wonderful professional soloists/section leaders from the Old North Senior Choir.  This season’s ensemble of superb Old North section leaders/soloists includes: Anne Burgett, soprano; Holly Cameron, soprano; and Kevin Hayden, tenor – all veterans of Old North’s Senior Choir and Music Program and returning after numerous previous seasons. 

 

Auditions for a bass-baritone section leader/soloist have been announced and are being scheduled at this time.  If you are interested in applying, or wish to spread the word to potential candidates, please contact Maria van Kalken (vankalken@gmail.com).  ​_____________________________________________

Memories of recent Festival Chorus performances...