Be A Part of the Evanston Community Christmas Gala!

It's November, it's cold, and the snow on the ground isn't melting.  I can't help but start to get in the holiday mood.  I usually am pretty good about resisting my Christmas CD's until after Thanksgiving.  But when it comes to getting involved and practicing Christmas music for concerts, I'm 100 percent ready for it right now.  If you are ready too, read on.

The Evanston Civic Chorus is excited to once again host the 3rd biennial Evanston Community Christmas Gala, a concert scheduled on the years that Messiah isn't being produced.   

Evanston Community Christmas Gala

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Davis Middle School

Free Admission

Gala 2007 - Trio Dolce

The first Gala was held in December 2007.  It included the Civic Chorus, Civic Orchestra, a children's choir, flute ensemble, madrigal carolers, handbell choir and a church choir.  Kirk Young, director of the Civic Chorus, explained back then how the Gala idea was conceived.  "We’re trying to create an evening, in the spirit of the Christmas season, for all these groups to share their music with each other and with the rest of the community.  We’re proud that our city is so passionate about the fine arts, and you don’t have to go very far to find places where they’re afraid to come together as a community to celebrate Christmas."

Gala 2009 - Combined Choir, Orchestra

In 2009 the Gala was held again with a variety of musical groups participating.  This time a new idea was tried successfully.  The Evanston Civic Chorus invited choral groups in the area to join them in a combined choir to sing "Joy to the World," accompanied by the Evanston Civic Orchestra.  The choral groups also had the option of performing their own featured song.

Now the Chorus is planning the 2011 Gala.  Musical groups in the area are invited be a part of the concert by performing a Christmas favorite.  In addition, choral groups are invited to participate in a combined choir singing, "O Holy Night," accompanied by the Evanston Civic Orchestra.  Find out more about the Gala and how to be involved on the Evanston Civic Chorus website. 

If you want to be in the combined choir, check with your church musical group to see if they are participating.  Or if you have your own choral group, sign up on the website and someone from the Chorus will get you a copy of the music.  If you don't belong to a participating group, there are two ways you can still be involved:

1. Join the Civic Chorus for the Christmas season.  You will get to sing more songs this way! (No fee involved)  Wednesday rehearsals are from 7:00- 8:30 p.m. in the EHS choir room (103), starting Nov. 16th.
2. Come rehearse “O Holy Night” with the Civic Chorus from 7:30 – 8:00 during the Wednesday rehearsals.

 by Sara