Christmas with Utah Chamber Artists (SLC: Dec 6)

Press Contact:
Becky Durham
801.572.2010 | tobcd@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 8, 2010

CHRISTMAS WITH UTAH CHAMBER ARTISTS

Utah's premiere choir and orchestra continues its 20th Anniversary Season with a holiday concert featuring actress Anne Cullimore Decker as special guest


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SALT LAKE CITY - Reflecting back on 20 years of making music, Utah Chamber Artists offers the second program of its MILESTONES concert season. The "Christmas with Utah Chamber Artists" concert takes place in the University of Utah’s Libby Gardner Concert Hall at 7:30 pm on Monday December 6, 2010. The concert and choir will present music of Poulenc, Howells, and Artistic Director Barlow Bradford.

“Once again Barlow directs our nationally recognized musicians in a concert of Christmas music," states Beverly Graham, board member. “Utah audiences have come rely on our annual Christmas concert to joyously launch the holiday season.” Of last year's Christmas concert the Salt Lake Tribune said, "The Utah Chamber Artists are known for their impeccable musicianship and purity of sound...stunning performance[s]."

Featured are carol arrangements from "JOYOUS DAY!", Utah Chamber Artists’ very popular 2006 compact disc about which New Classik says: “The vocal blends are rich and smooth, like the creamiest tomato bisque, and are beautifully supported by the orchestra. The arrangements are stunning, with just the right instrument at the right moment to add the touch that makes it perfect.”

Also on the program is an encore performance of "Christmas Medley", praised by the SL Tribune as "seamless and sophisticated", commissioned by the Highland Park United Methodist Church Choir for a performance with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Utah Chamber Artists’ initial presentation of the Medley was with organ accompaniment. This year's performance includes a full orchestration of three carols - "In Dulci Jubilo", "Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine", and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”

Other highlights will be two Bradford premieres of the "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen" and the beloved carol "Away in a Manger". Bradford describes his own interpretation of the former resulted in a "scherzo" for choir and orchestra "with sharp harmonic angles" and a "twinkle in your eye" approach to the carol. A contemplative nod to the past is a performance of Francis Poulenc's haunting "O magnum mysterium" which the Utah Chamber Artists sang at their first Christmas concert.

Actress Anne Cullimore Decker joins the music ensemble as a complement to the evening and will present various Christmas poetry and readings throughout the concert. She comments, "Utah Chamber Artists always give remarkable concerts. It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to participate in their Christmas Concert."
Ms. Decker has performed as a professional actress and civic leader locally and nationally, on stage and in film.

The audience will join the choir for a couple of carols and is invited to join the musicians in the Atrium of Libby Gardner Hall (1395 President’s Circle) for light refreshments following the concert. The university shuttle runs from Rice-Eccles Stadium to Libby Gardner Concert Hall beginning at 6:15 PM. The concert begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets may be purchased online at kingtix.com, by phoning 801.581.7100, or by visiting utahchamberartists.org. Tickets are $15, $10 for students, or $50 for a family of six. Encore Club memberships are $250 and include two tickets to all performances, preferred seating at the Cathedral Collage Concert, and a recording of each performance.

PHOTOS and INTERVIEWS available for Mr. Bradford and Ms. Decker

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Complete program for "Christmas with Utah Chamber Artists":

1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel arr. Bradford – Choir processional
2. Ding Dong, Merrily on High arr. Bradford (audience favorite)
3. Coventry Carol arr. Bradford (Coventry Carol)
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (premiere)
5. Away in a Manger (premiere)
6. Sussex Carol arr. Bradford
7. O Come All Ye Faithful - Procession with audience singing
8. O magnum mysterium Francis Poulenc (sung at UCA’s first Christmas concert)
9. Here is the Little Door – Herbert Howells (conductor’s favorite)
10. A Day, a Day of Glory - Barlow Bradford
11. The Shepherds Had an Angel - Barlow Bradford
12. A Christmas Medley - arr. Bradford
In dulci jubilo
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

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