Chorale, Gargoyle Brass to offer ‘Holiday Joy & Fanfare’ concert

South Holland Master Chorale will be joined by Chicago Gargoyle Brass Ensemble and organist Mark Sudeith in a “Holiday Joy & Fanfare” concert Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. at St. John Neumann Parish, 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood, IL.

The 70-member Chorale, directed by Philip J. Bauman with piano accompanist Marilyn Bourgeois, will present a variety of contemporary works, holiday favorites and sing-alongs suitable for all ages. Among the contemporary works on the program is an arrangement of “Ave Maria” by British composer Philip Stopford, along with an arrangement of the spiritual “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” by American Stacey V. Gibbs, and the more traditional “Nativity Carol” by English composer John Rutter.

Also included is “Christmas Joy,” a three-part work by American composer Dan Forrest based on the English carol “On Christmas Night,” the Polish carol “O, Come Rejoicing” and the hymn “Joy to the World.” Two lesser-known but quite beautiful hymns are “Where the Light Begins,” a musical setting by Susan LaBarr of a poem by American writer and artist Jan Richardson, and a new setting of the traditional English carol “What Child Is This?” by American composer Gwyneth Walker.

As a regular part of the Chorale’s holiday concerts, audience members will be invited to join in singing several traditional Christmas carols, closing the concert with “Silent Night.”

Admission is free; donations to support the Chorale will be accepted. For more information, visit www.southhollandmasterchorale.org or phone 708-210-2913.