Holiday Prelude Concert
Fall 2025 Concert Notes
Tina Johns Heidrich, Conductor
Joe Jacovino, Accompanist
Connecticut Master Chorale Holiday Brass
Sunday November 23, 2025 3:00 pm
First Congregational Church, Danbury, Connecticut
- Tickets Available Soon - Directions -
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Jay Althouse
b. 1951Sing Joy – arr. Jay Althouse
We open the program with a superb four-minute medley of carols. Joy to the World, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and O Come, All Ye Faithful are skillfully and tastefully arranged to produce a full, fresh and glorious sound.
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Dan Forrest
b. 1978Angels We Have Heard on High – arr. Dan Forrest
This new take on the familiar tune raises the bar yet again! From sparkling joy to layered "Gloria's" to moments of tender awe, to a raise-the-roof ending!
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Charles Coffin
1676 - 1749
John Chandler
1806 - 1876
Michael Culloton
b. 1976On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry – Charles Coffin; tr. John Chandler; arr. Michael Culloton
This setting of the traditional advent piece captures the lilting feel of a joyful renaissance motet. With delightful additions of flute and tambourine accompanying women's voices.
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Elaine Hagenberg
b. 1979
Franz Gruber
1787 - 1863
Joseph Franz Mohr
1792 - 1849
John Young
1820 - 1885Love's Pure Light – Elaine Hagenberg; quoting "Stille Nacht" - Franz Gruber; words by Joseph Franz Mohr; tr. John Young
A captivating new melody to the text of Silent Night as hints of the original are interwoven throughout. Graceful choral parts capture the tenderness of the beloved text, then ascend to new heights, resounding with "Son of God, love's pure light."
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Glenn McClure
b. 1965
Wes Kennison
b. 1957
Shawn Kirchner
b. 1970One Sweet Little Baby – Glenn McClure and Wes Kennison; arr. Shawn Kirchner
A choral transformation of Glenn McClure's and Wes Kennison's new mellow gospel Christmas song. The text is based on Simeon's prophecy for the Holy Child, and foreshadows the momentous and challenging future in store for him and his family. The arrangement figuratively traces the "journeying" of the Holy Family to Bethlehem.
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Zygmunt Odelgiewicz
1820 - 1899
Derek Myler
b. 1993Wise Men of the World – Zygmunt Odelgiewicz; words by Stefan Bortkiewicz; arr. Derek J. Myler
This delicate and festive arrangement of the traditional Polish carol has a memorable melody, accompanied by a march feeling that accompanies the Magi on their famous journey.
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Mark Weston
b. 1953Hanukkah, Season of Joy! – Mark Weston
The lively sounds of the happy season of Hanukkah sing out in this bright, up-tempo original.
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Tom Fettke
b. 1941Glorious Christmas Refrains – arr. Tom Fettke
This marvelous 5-minute tapestry includes 11 of the most popular Christmas refrains of all time: "glorias" from Angels We Have Heard on High, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Ding, Dong, Merrily on High; "noels" from Sing We Now of Christmas and The First Noel; "rejoicing" from How Great Our Joy and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; and more, all culminating in the powerful refrain from O Holy Night. A Christmas treasure!
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Mark Hayes
b. 1953Glad Tidings of Joy – arr. Mark Hayes
After an a cappella opening of the final phrase of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, this brilliant contemporary Christmas work segues into an exuberant setting with a touch of salsa. Skillful scoring drives the piece to an impressive finish.
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André Thomas
b. 1952Shout for Joy – André Thomas
This high-energy and rhythmic gospel rendition of the classic Christmas spiritual is flush with traditional harmonies and rich choral writing,
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Gordon Lightfoot
1938 - 2023
Michael Hanawalt
b. 1978
Justine Sasanfar
b. 1979Song for a Winter's Night – Gordon Lightfoot; arr. Michael Hanawalt and Justine Sasanfar
Lightfoot's ballad expresses the longing to be with loved ones on a cold, snowy night. Its elegant piano accompaniment ebbs and flows beneath the light and airy melody.
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Victor Johnson
b. 1978Umoja Tunaimba – Victor Johnson
This energetic Swahili original composition proclaims a message of peace - bringing voices together to stand in umoja (unity).
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Mariah Carey
b. 1969
Marc Shaiman
b. 1959
Mark Brymer
b. 1957The Star – Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman; arr. Mark Brymer
A beautiful song written and performed by Mariah Carey in the animated movie "The Star." A singable melody and tender harmonies accompany this inspirational text.
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Linda Kachelmeier
b. 1965We Toast the Days – Linda Kachelmeier
Originally written to be sung at midnight on New Year's Eve with friends and family as a new kind of "Auld Lang Syne", this piece grew into a full-fledged choral piece with an Irish feel.
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Hal Moore
1910 - 1974
Bill Fredericks
1941 - 1999
Allen Hill
Must Be Santa – Hal Moore; words by Bill Fredericks; arr. Allen Hill
This festive classic Christmas song was released in 1960 and made famous by Mitch Miller. A polka-meets-klezmer version was made famous by Bob Dylan in 2009. It has also been recorded by Tommy Steele and Joan Regan. Fun piece for men's voices!
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Brook Benton
1931 - 1988
Clyde Otis
1924 - 2008
Mark Hayes
b. 1953This Time of Year – Brook Benton and Clyde Otis; arr. Mark Hayes
This bluesy classic from 1959 has been recorded by numerous iconic artists such as Etta James and Ray Charles. Verses present sentimental snapshots of Christmases past, and a crooner melody paints a warm holiday portrait.
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Chris Machen
b. 1955
Tom Fettke
b. 1941They Had Joy! – Chris Machen; arr. Tom Fettke
A spectacular and joyous declaration of what the Wise Men felt - contagious southern-style gospel that is swinging and full of life.