St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is presenting its 11th annual Carols by Candlelight concert on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary, 353 Main St. The concert is a celebration of Advent and Christmas presented by the St. Stephen’s Festival Choir, soloists, and a 10-piece chamber orchestra featuring wind and string instruments. Derrick Goff, St. Stephen’s Minister of Music, will conduct the ensemble.
The candlelight concert includes traditional and less familiar works that represent various cultures and times, such as the Spanish lullaby “Alegria” (Joy), the old French carol “What Is This Lovely Fragrance,” and “Softly”, by contemporary British composer Will Todd. “My Dancing Day,” by contemporary Swiss composer Carl Rutti, is a lively new take on the classic “Tomorrow Shall by My Dancing Day,” which tells the story of Jesus through the metaphor of dance. Among the highlights of the concert will be “And the glory of the Lord”; from Handel’s “Messiah, it tells of the coming of the promised Messiah. The audience will be invited to join in singing traditional Christmas carols.