Pacific Chorale’s family friendly Tis the Season! decks the hall at Segerstrom

Pacific Chorale adds joyous musical luster to the holidays with Tis the Season! on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. The delightful family program – one of Orange County’s beloved Yuletide traditions – features cherished carols and seasonal gems sung to glorious perfection by the Grammy-winning chorus, under the baton of Artistic Director Robert Istad. Joining the choir for the festivities are Southern California Children’s Chorus, led by founder Lori Loftus, members of Pacific Symphony and The Man in Red, Santa Claus!

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Photos by Don Gifford

Santa Claus will make an appearance during “Tis the Season!”

The musical chestnuts include “Deck the Hall,” “Silent Night,” “Sleigh Ride,” “The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights)” and “Wishing You a Merry Christmas.” Istad also conducts Paul Langford’s timeless arrangement of “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano; “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” arranged by Ryan Murphy; Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria;” John Williams’ “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas;” Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here” arranged by John Alexander and much more.

“Tis the Season! balances all things holiday, Christmas, Hanukkah and classical music with a dash of silliness, and some new joyous tunes from the R&B and funk traditions,” said Istad. “It’s great fun for everyone! And a perfect way to celebrate the holidays.”

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The Grammy Award-winning Pacific Chorale

Program:

“A Carol Fantasy” - John Alexander

“Sing-Along: Sing the Carols of Christmas” - arr. Gary Fry

“Gaude et Laetere” - Cecilia McDowall

“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” - arr. Ryan Murphy

“Ave Maria” - Franz Biebl

“Mid-Winter” - Bob Chilcott

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” - Gloria Shain, orch. Riley

“Joy!” - arr. Gary Fry

“Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas” - John Williams

“Feliz Navidad” - Jose Feliciano, arr. Paul Langford

“The Christmas Waltz” - Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn/arr. Teena Chinn, Brass arr. Marc Riley

“Sleigh Ride” - arr. Leroy Anderson/Lawrence Goldberg

“Deck the Hall” - arr. John Rutter

“Rudolf on the Housetop” - arr. Kirby Shaw

“Christmas Time Is Here” - Vince Guaraldi, arr. John Alexander

“This Christmas” - Donnie Hathaway & Nadine McKinnor, arr. Roger Emerson

“The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights)” - Steve Young & Stephen Schwartz/arr. Ryan Nowlin

“Silent Night” - arr. Dan Forrest

“Wishing You a Merry Christmas” - arr. Gary Fry

Robert Istad, a Grammy Award-winning conductor, was appointed Pacific Chorale’s Artistic Director in 2017. Under his leadership, the chorus continues to expand its reputation for excellence for delivering fresh, thought-provoking interpretations of beloved masterworks, rarely performed gems and newly commissioned pieces.

The Grammy Award-winning Pacific Chorale, the resident choir at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, is noted for its artistic innovation and commitment to expanding the choral repertoire.

Pacific Chorale’s 2023-24 Season is made possible by generous support from Platinum Season Sponsor Phillip N. and Mary A. Lyons.

Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is located at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

For information and tickets to Tis the Season! ($30-$194), visit www.pacificchorale.org, or call 714.662.2345.