Excitement was in the air – Christmas trees lit up the Corpus Christi Cathedral, and the musicians carried their trumpets, trombones, tubas, and string instruments to their music stands. Timpani and Glockenspiel were already set up, and the Pontifical Chorale entered the chancel. A Cathedral Christmas presented carols and cradle hymns, presenting the theme of Christmas in different musical styles.
Music director Alex Oldroyd conducted the choir and orchestra, alternating with his wife, Meaghan King. Christmas classics like “O Come, All Ye Faithful” blended with Latin chants and contemporary hymns. A string quartet played the Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky, trumpets and timpani joined the organ in a Sinfonia in D Major by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Bishop Michael Mulvey welcomed the audience, reminding everyone to pray for peace in the region where Jesus’ birth took place.
Katia Uriarte Philipello, Director for Communications, announced that for the first time, PBS will air A Cathedral Christmas on KEDT TV&Radio five times throughout this Christmas season.
Carols from England and Andalusia took the audience on the journey to Bethlehem, while soloists Santos Cantu (Oh Come, O Come Emmanuel) and Carolina Salinas (Ave Maria) amazed the audience with their masterful performances.
The concert presented more Christmas classics in delicate arrangements, bringing the audience into the Christmas Spirit. The Pontifical Chorale will perform Lessons & Carols on December 24 at 11:30 pm and sing the Christmas Mass starting at Midnight.