LA Master Chorale's FESTIVAL OF CAROLS Set for Disney Hall, 12/7 & 14

The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) heralds Christmas with two matinee performances of its delightful seasonal concert, "Festival of Carols," Saturday, December 7, 2013, 2 pm, and Saturday, December 14, 2013, 2 pm, at Disney Hall. Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, White Christmas, Deck the Hall and Santa Claus is Coming to Town are among the cherished holiday carols and traditional favorites setting a joyous mood and sung to glorious perfection by 115 members of the Chorale under Music Director Grant Gershon's baton. Also featured are the world premieres of arrangements by LAMC Swan Family Composer In Residence Shawn Kirchner - the French carol Pat-a-Pan, which he has intricately layered for women's voices and describes as "rhythmic and vibrant," and the Czech Rocking Carol, a lullaby setting for men's voices he calls "tender and soothing." Pianist Lisa Edwards and organist John West, who performs on Disney Hall's iconic pipe organ, add a delightful sonic flourish to the concert.

Festival of Carols, the first of four holiday programs presented by the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Disney Hall, is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts. The other programs include "Rejoice! Ceremony of Carols" on December 8, 7 pm; the 33rd Annual Messiah Sing-Along on December 11, 7:30 pm; and two concert performances of Handel's Messiah on December 15 and 22, 7 pm.

Tickets for "Festival of Carols" range from $29 - $99. Tickets for children 6-12 are discounted in all sections. (Children under six not admitted.) Group rates are available. For tickets and information, please call (213) 972-7282, or visit www.lamc.org. (Tickets cannot be purchased at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office except on concert days starting 2 hours prior to the performance.) The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue at First Street in downtown Los Angeles.