The Angeles Chorale Announces Gloria! A Choral Christmas.

First Performance in Pasadena; Featuring Conductor John Sutton on Saturday, December 16(th), at First United Methodist Church 

Gloria! A Choral Christmas Full Concert Broadcast on Partner Station K-MOZART

LOS ANGELES -- The Angeles Chorale, led by Conductor John Sutton, brings the sounds of the season to Pasadena with Gloria! A Christmas Concert at the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena on Saturday, December 16, at 8:00 p.m. The Angeles Chorale is a world-class, Los Angeles-based large chorale ensemble led by Artistic Director/Conductor Donald Neuen, Director of Choral Activities at UCLA and Conductor of the Crystal Cathedral Choir, featured on the internationally televised "Hour of Power" weekly broadcast.

This 2006 seasonal program features "Gloria" from composers John Rutter and Randol Bass, Morten Lauridensen's "O Magnum Mysterium" and traditional holiday carols from the U.S. and around the world including "White Christmas," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "It's the Holiday Season," and "Carol of the Bells," along with the Chinese "Pengyou Ting," Three Latvian Carols, and "Hodie Christus Natus Est" by Argentinean composer Ariel Quintana.

Special guests include organist Julian Revie, Soprano Natalie Babbitt, The Los Angeles Collaboration featuring pianist Duane Funderburk and violinist Alex Russel, The Sounding Brass, and The Azusa Pacific University Handbell Choir.

Concert Producer and Conductor John Sutton, currently Director of Choral Activities at Azusa Pacific University, will present a holiday program for music lovers of all ages to celebrate the broad spectrum of music that defines and celebrates the season.

"The Angeles Chorale wants to take this opportunity to honor holiday musical traditions from all corners of the world," said Sutton. "We are thrilled to have such a talented group of musicians joining us to provide a truly moving and memorable evening featuring the glorious sounds of the season."

The Angeles Chorale kicks off its 32nd season with Gloria! A Choral Christmas. Additional 2006-2007 concerts to include Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vespers on Saturday, March 24th, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, conducted by Donald Neuen, featuring Alexander Ruggieri, Concert Preview Speaker and Tenor Steven Kronauer; and the World Premiere of Magnificat by Paul Chihara at Royce Hall on Saturday, June 9th, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. featuring the Angeles Chorale and the UCLA Chorale conducted by Donald Neuen. Special guests include the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra, Soprano Khori Dastoor, Mezzo Soprano Juliana Gondek, and others. In addition to presenting its annual concert seasons, the Angeles Chorale is also in demand as a guest choir with appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Glendale Symphony and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, among others.

Tickets are $30 with discounted $25 tickets available for students and seniors. Order tickets online at www.angeleschorale.org or call 818-591-1735. The First United Methodist Church of Pasadena is located at 500 East Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.