The Kennebec Performing Arts Company (KPAC) will “Celebrate the Season” at its annual holiday concerts on December 5th and 6th. Under the direction of John Neal, the KPAC Choir will perform a beautiful selection of seasonal works, including “Candlelight Carol” by John Rutter, “Ose Shalom” (The One Who Makes Peace) by John Leavitt, the traditional Hispanic carol “A La Nanita Nana”, “Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King” by Moses Hogan, “Festival Gloria” by Craig Courtney, and “He Watching Over Israel” by Mendelssohn.
The KPAC Wind Ensemble, also directed by John Neal, will feature festive favorites such as “Celtic Carol“ by Robert W. Smith and “A Christmas Celebration”. A special highlight will be “Log Cabin Blues”, featuring xylophone soloist Sophie Komiega. Assistant Director Dan Gilbert will take the podium to conduct “The Eighth Candle” by Steve Reisteter, a symphonic treatment of traditional Hanukkah themes.
The evening will conclude with the KPAC Jazz Band, led by new director Russell Caverly, performing lively arrangements of familiar holiday tunes. The program will also include a commissioned work by Terry White, a noted Maine music educator, composer, arranger, and bandleader in the Portland area for more than 34 years.
This festive concert is free and open to the public, thanks to KPAC’s generous sponsors and a grant from the Onion Foundation.