Pilgrim Festival Chorus to Present 'A Very British Christmas,' 12/5-6

Pilgrim Festival Chorus (PFC), the region's principal community chorus, presents a winter concert, A Very British Christmas, on Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 6 at 4 pm at The Church of the Pilgrimage (COTP), 8 Town Square in Plymouth. The chorus is conducted by Music Director William B. Richter and accompanied by Asst. Director Elizabeth Chapman Reilly on the church's 55 rank Roche pipe organ.

A Very British Christmas is divided into three sections: Christmas in the Cathedral, Christmas at Home, and Christmas in the Country. PFC will be sharing some of the best British music, from medieval times to the present, both sacred and secular. Christmas in the Cathedral highlights nine selections used during the annual Lessons and Carols service from King's College, Cambridge. The other sections include some of the best-loved English secular carols as well as John Rutter's nostalgic original composition, The Very Best Time of Year. Of special note are settings by the recently deceased Sir David Willcocks. Willcocks, who was closely identified with music at King's College for most of his life, helped to reinvent the Christmas carol for 20th century audiences. PFC also performs selections by British giants Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst.

Since 1999, PFC has delighted South Shore audiences with classical programming. The group of over 70 vocalists of all adult ages is dedicated to authentic choral singing. In addition to the winter concert, PFC generally presents a major choral work each spring, an annual Messiah Sing in December, and summer concerts with pops-style programming.

Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and $15.00 for students over 14. Children under the age of 14 are admitted free. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.pilgrimfestivalchorus.org; and from PFC members. To reserve tickets by phone, please call Gail at (781) 826-8416. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the church hall immediately following the performance. For more information on the concert or PFC, please visit their website at www.pilgrimfestivalchorus.org, or follow Pilgrim Festival Chorus on Facebook.