Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Led by Artistic Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Presents Britten’s Beloved A Ceremony of Carols

The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), led by Artistic Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, rings in the season with A Ceremony of Carols, one of Benjamin Britten’s most beloved works, in the sparking acoustics of Walt Disney Concert Hall as part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s prestigious “Sounds About Town” series on Sunday, December 8, 2019, 7:30 pm, at Disney Hall. Harp virtuoso Cristina Montes joins the chorus as special guest. Written for treble voices and set to a range of medieval texts written for the Advent season, the carols each have their own identity and color, creating a delightful sense of discovery as the timeless masterpiece unfolds. (No children under six years old will be admitted.)

LACC adds a unique twist to A Ceremony of Carols with Malvar-Ruiz interspersing between its 12 movements accompanying works that link either musically or thematically to the movements they proceed. Among the companion works are Swedish composer Jan Sandsrom’s ethereal 1990 choral arrangement of Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming; National Medal of Arts recipient Morten Lauridsen’s quintessential setting of O Magnum Mysterium; Ola Gjeilo’s stunning soundscape Tundra, set to lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri written specifically for the work to reflect the barren and beautiful Norwegian mountain plateau where the composer’s father grew up; and Eriks Ešenvalds breathtaking Stars, a setting of words by Sara Teasdale composed in 2011 for choir and water-tuned glasses. In addition, LACC has commissioned a new arrangement of Silent Night from award-winning Spanish composer Juan Colomer, which is being premiered at the concert.

“I can’t think of a more perfect setting to perform A Ceremony of Carols than Walt Disney Concert Hall during the holidays,” says Malvar-Ruiz. “To hear children’s voices raised in song there, especially during the Christmas season, is pure sonic delight. LACC’s contemporary commentary on the work is intended to build a unique, joyful and uplifting experience centered around a piece that has been a staple for the holidays since its creation.”

Six of LACC’s choirs are featured in the program, including the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Mixed Choir, under the direction of Malvar-Ruiz; the Young Men’s Ensemble led by Dr. Steven Kronauer; the Intermediate Choir, led by Mandy Brigham; and the Apprentice Choir, led by Interim Conductor Eric Lifland.

Tickets are $17, $34 and $45.  For tickets and information, visit www.lachildrenschorus.org or call (626) 793-4231. Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), widely recognized for its agile bel canto sound and artistic excellence, has been lauded as “hauntingly beautiful” (Los Angeles Times), “astonishingly polished” (Performances Magazine) and “one of the world's foremost children's choirs” (Pasadena Star News).  Founded in 1986 and led by Artistic Director Fernando Mulvar-Ruiz, who began his tenure in August 2018, LACC presents its own concerts and regularly performs with such organizations as LA Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Jacaranda.  The Chorus serves 400 children ages 6 to 18 from in seven choirs – Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Mixed Chamber Choir, Young Men’s Ensemble, Intermediate Choir, Apprentice Choir and Preparatory Choir – and a First Experiences in Singing program and First Experiences in Choral Singing Ensemble for 6-8-year-olds.  LACC, recipient of Chorus America’s 2014 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, tours internationally, is the subject of three documentaries and has appeared on NBC's “The Tonight Show,” PBS’s “Great Performances,” BBC Radio, Public Radio International's “From the Top” and is featured on John Williams' latest recording, John Williams & Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Collection.  www.lachildrenschorus.org.