Bella Voce plans festive holiday concerts Dec. 6-7

Bella Voce Women’s Chorus tops off its 10th Anniversary year with festive holiday concerts that feature Benjamin Britten’s beloved choral work “A Ceremony of Carols” for treble voices and harp. Joining Bella Voce for these performances will be classical harpist, Rebecca Kauffman.

Bella Voce’s smaller choir, Cantiamo, also will be featured. Familiar carols will be highlighted in the second half of the concerts including such favorites as “Good King Wenceslas,” “The First Noel,” “The Holly and the Ivy” and more including “The Wexford Carol,” an Irish carol arranged by Bella Voce’s Artistic Director, Dawn Willis, featuring harp and flute. The harp and an array of percussion instruments will also be featured in a new arrangement of “The Huron Carol” which was sent to Bella Voce by their sister ensemble, Bella Voce of Mobile Alabama, which commissioned the arrangement of this haunting Canadian carol. As part of the 10th Anniversary festivities Bella Voce alumni will be invited to join the current singers to sing “Carol of the Bells” as the closing selection for the concerts. A reception follows the Sunday, Dec. 7 concert in the church basement.

Bella Voce’s December choral concerts have become a beloved holiday tradition in Burlington; they almost always sell out. Be sure to order your tickets early!

Performances are Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8pm and Sunday, Dec.7 at 3pm at the First Baptist Church, 81 St. Paul Street in Burlington. Tickets at the door are $18 general admission/$15 seniors and students. Advance tickets are available from Flynntix at (802) 86-FLYNN or online at www. flynntix.org.