Christmas at Emmanuel

in collaboration with Cambridge Common Voices and Boston Children's Chorus

On-Demand Through January 16, 2024

Ryan Turner, conductor

Benjamin Britten
Saint Nicolas

Jonathan Woody
as though on snow

J. S. Bach BWV 65
Sie werden aus Saba
alle kommen

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Join Emmanuel Music, along with Cambridge Common Voices, Andrew Clark, conductor, and Boston Children’s Chorus, Krystal Morin, conductor, for an opulent celebration of the holiday season, centered around Benjamin Britten’s dramatic cantata Saint Nicolas, inspired by Saint Nicholas’ legendary care for the poor and oppressed. Set against the lush horns and arias of Bach’s Epiphanytide cantata, Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65, we link holiday traditions old and new with a newly commissioned motet by Jonathan Woody, inspired by the themes of the Britten and the Bach.
Art work credit: On the Way, 2023 A. Zarinah Nuri, acrylic on wood panel, 24 x 36 in.
“I was struck by the story of the three wise men depicted in Bach BWV 65. The painting is a symbolic representation of these three wise men on a journey together following the brightest star in the night sky. In the music I felt a story unfolding through the announcing introduction, the mysterious coming together of many voices and what feels like soul-stirring contemplation.”

Our Soloists & Collaborators

A photo of Ryan Turner

Ryan Turner, Conductor

Hailed as “powerfully expressive” (Boston Classical Review), an “effervescent” conductor of “finesse” (Boston Globe)....

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A photo of Charles Blandy

Charley Blandy, Nicolas

Charles Blandy has been praised as “unfailingly, tirelessly lyrical” (Boston Globe); “a versatile tenor with agility...

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A photo of Jonathan Woody

Jonathan Woody, Composer

Jonathan Woody is a versatile and dynamic musician who maintains an active schedule as a performer and composer in New York and across North America....

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Boston Children's Chorus performance

Boston Children's Chorus

At Boston Children's Chorus (BCC), we harness the power of music to connect our city's diverse communities, cultivate empathy, and inspire social inquiry.

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A photo of Cambridge Common Voices singing

Cambridge 
Common Voices

Cambridge Common Voices strives to create an inclusive musical space and practice, affirming individual voices, and explore innovative approaches to music-making, including elements of Universal Design for Learning and Empowering Song.

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Reading books to children for Three King's Day

Musical Magi: A Family Event

REserve Your space

Sunday, December 17 | 2.00pm | Emmanuel Church

The music tells a story! Families with elementary age children are invited to join us to bring to life the holiday of Three Kings' Day through art and musical storytelling. Kids will spend time making and decorating their props (camels and kings!) for the story while members of Cambridge Common Voices sing Christmas carols and then settle in to listen to and participate in a musical telling of Hurray for Three Kings' Day by Lori Marie Carlson, read by Jackie Hincapie. We’ll cap off the afternoon with traditional Peruvian treats.

This event will feature some of the music performed at our Christmas at Emmanuel concert. It is free and open to all, geared towards kids ages 5-10. Registration is required.

Musical Magi Program
Headshot of Jacqueline Hincapie - Librarian @ Boston Public Library
About our Storyteller

Jackie Hincapie is a librarian at the Adams Street branch of the Boston Public Library in Dorchester. She was the branch’s previous children’s librarian and has recently moved on to adult services. Running story times, especially bilingual story times, was one of her favorite things about being a children’s librarian and she is happy for the chance to do it again!