LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH THE HALALISA SINGERS

Just in time for the holidays, the 31 voices of Lexington’s Halalisa Singers present seasonal music from around the world in “Songs of Light.” As the winter solstice approaches, the vocal group’s winter concert illuminates the ways in which various cultures celebrate light.

Artistic Director Mary Cunningham Neumann conducts pieces in six languages, including the Hebrew “Aleih Neiri (Rise Up, My Light),” “Benedicta Es (Blessed Be)” in Latin, the Basque “Gabon Izar,” and Eric Whitacre’s setting of Edward Esch’s “Lux Aurumque.” Rousing holiday spirituals on the program include “Behold the Star!,” “Walk in the Light,” and “Yonder Came Day.” Other celebratory selections include the Welsh folk song “Gower Wassail,” the shape note hymn “Star in the East,” the gorgeous traditional Canadian song “The Huron Carol,” and Peter Yarrow’s “Light One Candle.” A highlight of the program will be the premiere of renowned songleader Nick Page’s piece “Heaven Found.” Pianist Valerie Ross and percussionist Bertram Lehmann will accompany the singers.

Among those in the group are Terry Lockhart, a bass singer, and Celia Hinrichs, a soprano, who both live in Sudbury.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham Neumann, the Halalisa Singers are now in their 18th year offering performances in the Boston area. Formed in 1993 by renowned songleader and Mystic Chorale director Nick Page, this Lexington-based vocal ensemble is the greater Boston area’s premier world music ensemble. Halalisa is the Zulu word for “celebration”, and in that spirit, the Halalisa repertoire includes African, Latin, Spiritual, Jewish, Folk and Jazz music. A diverse group of men and women, The Halalisa Singers are inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite us all.  

For more information about The Halalisa Singers, please visit their website:  www.halalisa.org

WHAT: The Halalisa Singers in “Songs of Light”
WHEN/WHERE: Dec. 3, 8 p.m. at First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 7 Harrington Rd., Lexington AND Dec. 4, 3 p.m. at First Parish in Sudbury, 327 Concord Rd., Sudbury.
ADMISSION: $15, $12 students and seniors
INFORMATION: 781-862-6353, www.halalisa.org