Harry Simeone was known as a master arranger and for the Christmas song “The Little Drummer Boy,” made popular by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale.
This weekend, audiences will get to hear another chorale present Simeone’s genius in song, along with his famous “Drummer Boy.”
The Everett Chorale performs its holiday concert, “Sing We Now of Christmas,” Saturday and Sunday at Everett Performing Arts Center.
The chorale is performing a medley of 30 recognizable traditional and spiritual carols, all done in an arrangement by Simeone.
Everett Chorale music director and conductor Lee Mathews said the audience can come to the concert prepared to be put in the mood of the season, hearing all familiar and traditional songs of the holidays such as “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “Away In A Manger,” “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Hall,” “O Holy Night,” “The First Noel,” “Silent Night” and “Adeste Fideles (Come All Ye Faithful).”
“The choral singers are enthused about it. They love it,” said Mathews of this Christmas concert performance.
Mathews said the chorale will sing one carol after another all connected in a show that is broken up into two halves — the first half 35 minutes and the second half 30 minutes — with one intermission.
Narrator and the chorale’s assistant conductor Steve Torrence will fill in the story of Christmas between pieces, speaking as well as singing some parts. A slate of soloists will also perform.
The concert also features four-hand piano, two people playing one grand piano.
For the first time, the chorale will be joined by members of Brass Band Northwest.
“I’ve heard them play before and they are really good,” Mathews said.
“Sing We Now of Christmas” begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett.
Tickets are $16 and $14. Call the Everett Performing Arts Center at 425-257-8600 or 888-257-3722 or go to www.everettchorale.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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