When holiday concert week strikes with rehearsals every night, busy D.C. executive Mark Rebstock prepares for his nonpaying job with the prestigious Washington Chorus. “There’s nothing like it,” he said. “It amazes me that 190 people are able to make this commitment throughout the year. But we do and it’s a testament to how much we love doing it.”
Rebstock refers to the chorus’ annual performance, “A Candlelight Christmas,” beginning its run on Saturday with nightly presentations at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and one performance at the Music Center at Strathmore.
“Everybody really likes the program this year,” said Julian Wachner, the musical director of the Washington Chorus. Five or six pieces are the same, but everything else is new [and] it’s all great.”
| IF YOU GO |
| ‘A Candlelight Christmas’ |
| » Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| » When: Saturday through Dec. 22 (Special presentation Dec. 21 at Strathmore) |
| » Info: kennedy-center.org |
The chorus, which usually performs with a large symphonic ensemble, employs instead a full brass complement along with the majestic tones of a pipe organ for its Christmas concert.
An audience singalong of well-known carols is, as always, an anticipated part of the program along with the chorus’ new selections that include “What Sweeter Music” and “Gloria (Third Movement)” by John Rutter in addition to Rachmaninoff’s “Vespers, Mvt. 8.” No one will be surprised to learn that the smash finish is Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “Messiah.”
The Washington Chorus continues its rich tradition of supporting and supplementing the music programs in area high schools by welcoming the W.T. Woodson High School Choir from Fairfax under the direction of Michael Ehrlich as its “Side by Side” high school partner chorus for these concerts.
“It’s an opportunity for young people to sing great music in a wonderful hall,” Wachner said. “It’s a big thrill for them and their families.”
The Washington Chorus, with 200 members on the books, will use 160 of these voices for each concert. Members will rotate based on their availability to perform. With the 35-voice choir from Woodson and the brass ensemble, the audience will be awed by about 200 people onstage. Advance ticket sales have gone so well that a fifth program was recently added.
Audiences need not look too far for the reason.
“It’s part of the human being’s need for ritual,” Wachner said. “And then, there’s the community expressed onstage through the music, excitement, lights and the whole deal. It’s a chance for people to share a common feeling, which is not something in our modern society that we get to do anymore.”
