Join us December 20th as we explore the history of what you think of as your favorite "Christmas carols." Because this is Astraios, you know these will be arrangements you've never heard before!
"Caroles" were French dances during the 12th and 13th centuries. Each song had a refrain and verses, and the lyrics could be on any subject (usually courtly or secular). The dancers would sing as they moved.
By the 15th century, a "carol" meant an English or Latin song that could deal with any subject. The pieces were also structured with refrains and verses. Many of these songs had to do with the Virgin Mary or other Christmas themes, but often they were still meant for dancing or processing.
For our out-of-town fans, the concert will be streamed live on our Facebook page. The concert will begin at 7:30 pm (Central). Here's the December 20th program you can look forward to:
Once in Royal David's City ~Traditional English Season Carols~ Traditional English
Spring (The Flower Carol/Good King Wenceslas) Summer (Une Vaine Crainte) Fall (The Holly and the Ivy) Winter (The Coventry Carol)
Pastorales de Noel ~ Andre Jolivet
L'Etoile (The Star)
Les Mages (The Magi)
La Vierge et L'Enfant (Mother and Infant)
Entree et Danse des Bergers (Entrance and Dance of the Shepherds)
World Carols ~ Traditional I Wonder as I Wander (Appalachian)
Wexford Carol (Irish)
O Tannenbaum (German)
Patapan (French)
Ceremony of Carols ~ Benjamin Britten
Wolcum Yole! Balulalow
This Little Babe Interlude
Spring Carol
Deo Gracias
The Twelve Days of Christmas ~ Traditional English
We Three Kings ~ Traditional American
Carol of the Bells ~ Traditional Ukrainian
Ruth Ann Ritchie, flute Michael Jones, bassoon
Eric Jones, viola
Yumiko Schlaffer, harp
Patrick Herring, percussion
Christopher Curtis, host