Location
Tempe, Arizona, 85282
About this event
We’re celebrating the choral legacy of Christmas through the brilliance of John Rutter and a touch of holiday music and mischief!
John Rutter’s Christmas music holds a unique and enduring place in the landscape of modern choral masterworks. While steeped in tradition, his writing speaks with a contemporary freshness that resonates with both performers and audiences alike. Rutter’s gift lies in his ability to balance accessibility with artistic depth—his carols and anthems shimmer with warmth, joy, and lyricism, yet they are crafted with the skill of a true Master Composer.
His Christmas music in particular has become a cornerstone of the season. Through elegant melodies, lush harmonies, and texts that celebrate the sacred and the festive, Rutter captures the very essence of Christmas: the mingling of reverence and rejoicing, mystery and celebration. In doing so, he has created works that not only stand alongside the greatest carols of history but also define the sound of Christmas for our time.
For choirs, Rutter’s music is both a joy and a challenge to sing—demanding sensitivity, nuance, and precision—yet rewarding in its ability to uplift both singer and listener. For audiences, his works have become synonymous with the holidays, evoking memory, nostalgia, and timeless wonder. In the truest sense, John Rutter has given the world modern masterworks: music that bridges past and present, music that makes Christmas sing.
Concert Program
You Rutter Watch Out! The Essential Carols of John Rutter
- Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
- Nativity Carol
- Candlelight Carol
- Angel Carol
- Christmas Lullaby
- Star Carol
- Sans Day Carol
- I Wish You Christmas
A Community Sing-Along: We’re All in the Mood for Good Cheer!
Seasonal Favorites: Celebrating the Joy of the Season
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Eddie Pola)
- Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson)
- Carol of the Bells (Peter Wilhousky)
- Light the Candles (Jill Galina)
- The Twelve Days After Christmas (Frederick Silver)
- Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John (P. D. Q. Bach)
- Deck the Halls in 7/8 (James McKelvy)
- Sir Christèmas (William Matthis)
The program runs for about an hour without intermission. It is subject to change without notice.
