A joyous feast of Christmas music is in the offing as Bermuda moves towards the annual celebration of Christ's birth, with each programme promising to be an unforgettable event.

The Bermuda Chamber Choir, directed by Ryan Ellis, leads the way with a concert on Tuesday next, November 27, which will tell the Christmas story through a programme of holiday choral masterworks from Handel's much-loved oratorio, 'The Messiah', to the brilliantly lyrical 'Christmas Oratorio' by the French Romantic composer, Saint-Saëns. Oratorios are defined as a narrative (usually sacred in theme) set to music through orchestral movements, solo arias, recitatives and ensembles, as well as choruses.

"Each of these oratorios uses the Advent and Christmas stories as its theme, and the music paints the picture of anticipation and longing for one who is to come and save all mankind," Mr. Ellis says. "They gloriously set the words of the angels, and tenderly express the comfort and joy in the knowledge that He has come to bring peace to the world. The composers, both in their unique styles, are so close to this message that there is nothing short of magic when their artistic vision is brought to life."

The Bermuda Chamber Choir will be joined by the Bermuda String Consort, led by Jennifer Sheridan, with featured vocal soloists Selange Gitschner, Gillian Henderson, Carolin Ohlsson, Ruth Stovell, and baritone Peter Nash.

The tenor soloist, Iain Macpherson, is travelling from Ottawa to join his family in this concert. His father, Don Macpherson (cello) is employed in the Attorney General's Department, and his mother, Margaret Macpherson (violin), teaches at the Bermuda School of Music.

"This will be the first time that they have all performed together, and they are excited to have that experience in Bermuda," Mr. Ellis says.

The concert will take place at St. John's Church, Pembroke at 7.30 p.m. Tickets (adults $30, under 18s $15) are available from the Bermuda School of Music (tel. 296-5100) and Pulp & Circumstance on upper Queen Street.

"Patrons are always a great part of the musical arts in Bermuda, and the Bermuda School of Music is pleased to offer reserved seating plus a wine reception for $75 in appreciation of our patrons and benefactors," Mr. Ellis says.

The Ensemble Singers' concert at Wesley Methodist Church on December 9 will feature award-winning tenor Ramone Diggs in a programme of Christmas music which includes two works by British composer Nicholas White, who recently gave a workshop for the Ensemble Singers here. They are 'O Magnum Mysterium' (an unpublished work) and 'How Far is it to Bethlehem?'

Mr. Diggs will sing 'Sanctus' from Gounod's 'St. Cecelia Mass' and William Dawson's arrangement of 'Mary Had a Baby', accompanied by the men's choir.

The African American tenor last appeared with the Ensemble Singers two years ago, when he was a soloist in 'The Messiah'. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, he is currently appearing in the off-Broadway musical review, 'Three Mo' Tenors'. He has performed with numerous US opera companies, as well Liszt's 'Tre Sonetti de Petrarca' with renowned accompanist Warren Jones. In 2001 he won the Marilyn Horne Foundation Award competition, andch he gave debut recitals in New York and Los Angeles last Spring. He has also participated in master classes with famed artists, including Ms Horne, and is a winner of the Mario Lanza Competition in Philadelphia, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in Texas.

The concert will begin at 4 p.m. and tickets ($30) are available from Wesley church office (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday), the Music Box, and Ensemble Singers members.

Footnote: The Ensemble Singers have been invited to perform next Spring in Barbados to raise funds for the island's Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The St. John Youth Choir, led by Marjorie Pettit, will celebrate its tenth anniversary with what it promises will be "a joyous celebration of Christmas songs and carols" in which the 60 young voices will be joined by visiting Moldavian-born harpist Ina Zdorovetchi.

The concerts will take place at St. John's church, Pembroke on December 9 and 10 beginning at 7 p.m.

In addition to an outstanding programme of traditional and much-loved holiday music, the featured work will be Benjamin Britten's 'Ceremony of Carols' for treble voices and harp.

"This is a magical work of great beauty which will be sung by twenty of our most advanced choristers," Mrs. Pettit says. " 'A Ceremony of Carols' was written as Britten returned home to England from America in 1942. Travelling on an uncomfortable Swedish cargo vessel at the height of the Second World War, and beset by danger — this was the time of the German U-Boat — he nevertheless managed to pen one of his most joyful and exuberant works. Harpist Ms Zdorovetchi will accompany this beautiful work."

The Moldavian-born musician enjoys a reputation as one of the leading harpists of her generation, and has won many international harp competitions. She has also been called 'The Harp Whisperer'.

The choir will be accompanied by Mrs. Pettit's usual outstanding group of orchestral players, led by Kate Ross on violin, with Andrea Hodson on piano and William Duncan on organ.

Due to the growing popularity of this annual event, and the resultant pressure on limited seating, it has been decided to present this concert on two evenings instead of one.

Already sponsor tickets are in great demand, so patrons are being advised to purchase their tickets early. General seating is $25 for adults and $15 for students.

Tickets can be purchased online at boxoffice.bm as well as at Pianos Plus on Front Street, and at the door.

Having started with only a small group of young people ten years ago the choir has now grown to 60 members, with more eager to join when space permits.

"It is interesting to note that one or two members have been involved on a constant basis from the outset. A decade of commitment speaks volumes for these young people," Mrs. Pettit says. "Expectations are high in this regard of course, but I am rarely disappointed.

Singers and supporting families are quite exceptional. The vast majority of our choir members shine academically, and at the moment I have a group of senior girls who are among the most musically gifted I have ever taught.

The are, for the right reasons, a challenge and such a delight to work with."

The St. John's Youth Choir is a community choir which serves all of Bermuda's young people. The choristers rehearse on Friday evenings from 6 pm to 7 pm, with extra time required for special projects.