Christmas Cantata

The Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church presents Ralph Vaughan Williams' cantata Hodie (This Day). This is Vaughan Williams' last major choral work, a vivid setting of the Nativity story interwoven with Christmas poetry by Milton, Hardy, and George Herbert. The music encompasses a wide variety of styles, from serene mysticism and pastoral solos to thrilling brass fanfares and choral climaxes. The work, which was composed for the Three Choirs Festival in England and premiered in Worcester Cathedral in 1954, will be performed by our 65-voice choir and soloists accompanied by full orchestra, all led by Diane Hires.