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Symphonic choir opens season with Vaughan Williams cantata

By Heather Zimmerman

Probably there is no music more familiar than the tunes heard during the holidays. But not all seasonal music is as widely known as The Nutcracker or "Jingle Bells." For Christmas, the San Jose Symphonic Choir offers some of each: a less-familiar masterwork and an all-time classic, presented in two distinct concerts.

First off, to ring in the holidays and open its season, the San Jose Symphonic Choir presents Ralph Vaughan Williams' Hodie, a Christmas Cantata. The concert takes place Nov. 24, 8 p.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica, 80 S. Market St., San Jose.

Maestro Leroy Kromm, the choir's music director, is at the podium for this performance. The more than 100 voices of the San Jose Symphonic Choir will be joined by the Menlo School Chorus, led by Linda Jordan, and the Mission Chamber Orchestra, directed by Emily Ray. The program also includes works by C. Hubert H. Parry and locally based composer Henry Mollicone.

Hodie is a rarely performed Christmas work by an oft-performed composer, which is not to say it's one of Vaughan Williams' lesser works.

Hodie uses texts by, among other sources, Thomas Hardy, John Milton and from the Bible for its 16 different sections, which are all tied together with the narrative of the Christmas story.

The featured work at the choir's second holiday concert is so well-known that audiences can sing along with it--in fact, that's often the whole idea. The choir presents a "You-Sing-It Messiah" featuring, of course Handel's Messiah, on Dec. 10 at the California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose. This 28th annual event will also be directed by Kromm and will be accompanied by a professional orchestra. Audience members can bring their own scores or purchase one at the concert.

"Hodie" tickets are $8-$20; call 408.995.3318 or visit www.sanjose symphonicchoir.org. "Messiah" tickets are $20, all seats reserved; call 408.286.2600, ext. 23 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.