Christmas at The Paramount
Saturday - December 18, 2010 at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM
The Paramount Theater on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall
The Oratorio Society of Virginia is excited to present its annual holiday concert, Christmas at the Paramount, on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville. Over the years this highly regarded family-friendly concert has become a holiday tradition in the community. The 90-member chorus, under the direction of L. Thomas Vining, will be joined by a brass ensemble, percussionists, and one of the area's finest handbell choirs, the Adult Handbell Choir of First Presbyterian Church of Charlottesville, in a program to delight all ages.
The performance will feature American composer Daniel Pinkham's critically acclaimed Christmas Cantata, scored for chorus and double brass choir. Using a variety of colors and rhythms to express traditional Nativity texts, Pinkham captures the many moods of Christmas: the joyful account of the shepherds, a reverent O Magnum Mysterium, and ending with a Gloria that is at once majestic and jubilant. The chorus will also perform beloved carols arranged by the Canadian Brass, including a delightfully witty version of The Twelve Days of Christmas featuring readily recognizable brass works throughout the ages. A variety of traditional seasonal music, ranging from the delicately crafted Lo, How a Rose, to the rousing Nigerian carol, Betelehemu, will put you and your entire family in a festive spirit to enjoy the upcoming holidays.
Featured Performers
- L. Thomas Vining, Music Director/Conductor
- The First Presbyterian Church Handbell Choir
L. Thomas Vining
L. Thomas (Lance) Vining has led The Oratorio Society with tireless energy and contagious vitality since the fall of 2000. Singers and audiences alike have reaped the benefit of his passion for great music, his vast musical expertise, and his visionary leadership.
While completing his studies at Westminster Choir College, Mr. Vining began his singing career, debuting as tenor soloist in Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” with Leopold Stokowski at Carnegie Hall. While studying at Peabody Conservatory of Music, he received a Presidential Citation for his work with the United States Army Field Band and Chorus. After performing as a lyric and lyric spinto tenor, he pursued his dream to conduct and studied with Leonard Bernstein, Robert Shaw, Sir Malcolm Sargent, and Leopold Stokowski.
Mr. Vining has conducted major orchestras in Denver, San Francisco, Knoxville, and Memphis. He founded the Bay Area Philharmonic and Bay Area Christian Choir. He currently serves as Music Director at Vienna (Virginia) Presbyterian Church.
Under the baton of this able Music Director, Charlottesville has enjoyed such masterpieces as Brahms’ A German Requiem, Bach’s B Minor Mass and St. John Passion, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Verdi’s Requiem and Mozart’s Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, Haydn’s Mass in Time of War, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. He brought concert opera to Charlottesville, leading the Oratorio Society in Verdi’s La Traviata in May 2006 and Rigoletto in May 2007.
The First Presbyterian Church Handbell Choir
The First Presbyterian Church of Charlottesville's long tradition of handbell ringing began in the 1960's with a set of Whitechapel bells from England. The current Adult Handbell Choir, begun several years ago under the direction of former Minister of Music Jeff LeDuc, rings a six-octave set of Malmark handbells. These ten ringers, some of whom are charter members of the group, are passionate about handbell ringing, rehearsing weekly and offering special music monthly at worship services. They also enjoy attending annual workshops with the Raleigh Ringers and at Massanetta Springs.
Thrilled to be a part of Christmas at the Paramount with the Oratorio Society, the group will ring a bell tree processional and a festive setting of Ding Dong! Merrily on High, as well as joining the brass, choir and audience on two familiar carols with bell parts arranged by Interim Director, David Norfrey. Other highlights of this year's fall season will include the premiere of a newly commissioned piece, Unbroken Praise, in memory of Jeff LeDuc.