THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412070126
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Religion
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
FOR CENTURIES, THE majesty and joy of the Christmas season have been recounted in song and music. This grand old hymn says it well:
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Let Earth receive its king.
Let ev'ry heart prepare him room
And heav'n and nature sing . . .
In keeping with the spirit of the season, many local churches will present Christmas cantatas and musicals. These are as varied as the sights and sounds of this blessed holiday. The following services are among those being presented locally.
``Canticle of Christmas'': The combined choirs of Magnolia and Main Street United Methodist churches will present two candlelight musical performances of ``Canticle of Christmas.'' The first program will be at Magnolia, 1764 Wilroy Road, at 6 p.m. Sunday. The second presentation will be at Main Street, 202 North Main St., at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.
According to Magnolia music director Toni Cotturone, this presentation includes full choral pieces interspersed with solos and Scripture to recount the Biblical story of the coming of Christ.
``It's a wonderful work,'' Cotturone said, ``and our most challenging musically.''
The 40-voice mass choir will be accompanied by pianist Chris Ward, who is also music director at Main Street. Marjorie Setnicky, organist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, will serve as organist for both performances.
``It's a really beautiful piece,'' Ward said. ``There's a nice mixture of the classical feeling with more contemporary tunes.'' In addition, the canticles include several favorite traditional arrangements such as ``O Holy Night'' and ``Joy to the World.''
Janell Rardon, director of Bright Lights Performing Arts Studio, and several of her students will provide liturgical choreography for portions of the program.
Live instrumentation also will be provided by flute, oboe, trumpet and cello. John Jenkins and two of his music students from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy will provide full percussion accompaniment.
``This is our Christmas gift to the community,'' Ward added. ``It's a true worship experience to the glory of God.''
Before both services, a 30-minute concert will be provided by the Ecumenical Bells, a hand-bell group from various local churches under Ward's direction.
``Canticle of Christmas'' will close with a traditional Christmas candle lighting. Both evening performances will conclude with a holiday reception.
``Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols'': This event will be presented at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. The festival will involve the adult choirs and congregations of the entire Suffolk Parish including St. Paul's, St. John's, Glebe and St. Mark's Episcopal churches.
The Angel Choir, Children's Choir and Adult Handbell Choir of St. Paul's also will participate in this evening of holiday celebration.
Both choir and congregation will sing carols for this service. Clergy and lay readers will lead in the presentation of lessons that chronicle the biblical narrative from creation to Jesus' birth.
``This festival is medieval in character,'' Setnicky said. ``It's also Anglican in origin.''
Preceding the service, a half-hour concert will be presented by harpist Mary M. Jones and flutist Rosemary Gadsby.
Child care will be provided during this evening presentation.
After this Christmas festival of lessons and carols, a reception will be held in the Randolph Hall of St. Paul's, 213 North Main St.
``The Night the Angels Sang'': The music staff of Oakland Christian Church will present two performances of this dramatic musical at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 18 and 19, in the sanctuary of Oakland Christian Church.
The musicians and cast for this production will be the church's 25-voice adult choir. The children's choir and youth choir also will perform a portion of the program ``Children Love Bethlehem.''
This musical is told from the point of view of the shepherds who heard the angelic host on that long-ago night in Bethlehem. A little boy and his father were among the herdsmen that night, and this boy, now grown, tells how following Jesus radically changed his life.
Through the narrative of shepherds, pilgrims and shopkeepers, the story is retold. The main role of Mary is played by Susie Powell. Ronnie Powell portrays Joseph, and Allan Garner plays Gabriel.
The Oakland music staff is led by music director Doug Naismith, organist Mary Jane Naismith and pianist Kay Gillette. Additional musicians will provide live accompaniment for this program.
After each evening's presentation, a holiday reception will be held in the church's fellowship hall. Members of the church and community are invited to join in this unique Christmas celebration.
The church is at 5641 Godwin Blvd. in Chuckatuck. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Chris Ward and Toni Cotturone promote the ``Canticle of Christmas''
presentations at Main Street and Magnolia United Methodist
churches.
by CNB