Valley Concert Chorale presenting 'Christmas Treasures'

The Valley Concert Chorale will perform its annual holiday concerts of the greatest Christmas choruses and traditional audience sing-along next weekend in Pleasanton and Livermore.

"Our December concerts, 'Christmas Treasures,' feature choruses from some of the greatest works ever composed for choral voices," artistic director John Emory Bush said.

"The concerts will take audiences through a journey of music history from the 15th century featuring Sweelinck's joyous 'Hodie Christus Natus Est' to the most recent work of Eric Whitacre's ever popular 'Lux Aurumque,' a truly melodically inspirational piece."

The chorus will also perform Handel's well-known "Hallelujah Chorus" from his choral masterwork "Messiah," and a recent discovery, Biebl's beautiful "Ave Maria," brought to the attention of the Valley Concert Chorale by the Bay Area men's ensemble, Chanticleer.

"There is a rich variety of music for all to enjoy, and audience members can join in singing familiar carols," said Bill Leach, chorale president.

"The audience carol sing-along has been a traditional portion of the holiday concerts for over 50 years," he added. "It's obvious that our audience feels the spirit of the season. We can see it in their faces as they sing, and that makes the experience very special for us."

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday (Dec. 8) at First Presbyterian Church, 2020 Fifth St. in Livermore and at 3 p.m. next Sunday (Dec. 9) at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Road, at Del Valle Parkway, in Pleasanton.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. High school and college students are $10, and children are free. Purchase advance tickets at www.valleyconcertchorale.org, or by calling 866-4003.