Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s 68th Candlelight and Carols a Popular Success

Nearly 600 attendees enjoyed PPC’s 68th Annual Candlelight and Carols presentation on Saturday, December 8. All of PPC’s choral ensembles—Trinity Choir, Pasadena Singers, Kirk Choir, Carol Choir and Rainbow Choir—were joined by the church’s Van Etten Handbell Choir for 75 minutes of non-stop holiday entertainment. A harpist, brass quintet, two pianists, two organists and two percussionists rounded out the performer’s roster. The whole 75 minute program was made more accessible by projected supertitles in English, Spanish and Korean; PPC is a multi-cultural congregation with weekly worship services in those three languages.

For the first time in many years, the program consisted completely of Christmas carols. Director of Music Timothy Howard commented on this in his opening remarks, noting that the audience would hear carols from many European—and some non-Western—traditions. For example, Kirk Choir’s set included arrangements of traditional Japanese, Burgundian, English and Spanish carols; the Pasadena Singers offered English and French carols, plus an English carol text given an new musical setting. Many particularly delighted in the rollicking renditions of God Rest Ye Merry by the handbell choir, Jingle Jive (complete with Santa hats and matching sunglasses) by the Carol Choir, and Trinity Choir’s set that included familiar Christmas carols from the English tradition sung in Korean.

Audience members had no fewer than six opportunities to sing carols, including perennial favorites O Come, All Ye Faithful, What Child is This and The First Nowell, all accompanied by the brass quintet and PPC’s magnificent pipe organ. Twice during the program, the audience joined one of the choirs to sing the final stanza of a carol, including Joy to the World with the Rainbow Choir. Harpist Linda-Rose Hembreiker offered a few minutes of quiet beauty with a lovely performance of O Come! O Come, Emmanuel.

Following the program, audience members and performers alike delighted in the food and drink offerings at a festive reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

Candlelight and Carols is a longstanding tradition at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. PPC is looking forward to seeing everyone at next year’s program.

For more information on Pasadena Presybeterian Church visit www.ppc.net/ or http://ppcmusic.org, or call (626) 793-2191.