An evening of uplifting Christmas music from around the world. From Medieval carols to classic Yuletide songs and traditional Nativity hymns, this concert features the sublime sounds of Luminescence Chamber Singers with internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso Thomas Heywood, and the angelic strains of Luminescence Children’s Choir, bundled into one heavenly hour. Directed by Roland Peelman.

70 minutes, no interval.

Presented in partnership with Canberra International Music Festival and Wesley Music Centre.

ARTISTS
Luminescence Chamber Singers
Luminescence Children’s Choir
Thomas Heywood, organ
Roland Peelman AM

PROGRAMME

Once in Royal David’s City H.J. Gauntlett, arr. David Willcocks
Kindelwiegen (Vom Himmel Hoch) Traditional German, Arr. A.V. Othegraven
Noël Nouvelet Traditional French Carol, arr. Stephen Jackson
Coventry Carol Traditional
Rui Rui Chiu  Ascribed to Mateo Flecha the Elder (1481 - 1553) 
Corpus Christi  Benjamin Britten (from A Boy Is Born, 1933) arr. Ruth McCall
Joseph and Mary (Cherry Tree Carol) Kentucky, arr. Roland Peelman
Before the Paling of The Stars Cecilia McDowell (2012)
Carol of the Birds W. James & J. Wheeler, arr. Roland Peelman
The Christmas Card [WP] Deborah Cheetam, arr. Dan Walker 
A Child Is Born Roland Hanna/Thad Jones, arr. Roland Peelman
We Three Kings John Henry Hopkins, arr. Roland Peelman
Sleeping Child Bob Chilcott
O Little Town of Bethlehem Traditional English, arranged by David Willcocks
Hark The Herald Angels Sing F Mendelssohn, Arr. David Willcocks
O Come All Ye Faithful J.F. Wade Arr. David Willcocks
Stille Nacht Franz Xaver Gruber

From Mariah Carey to Wham, Luminescence’s own Rachel Mink brings her high-powered vocals and a uniquely entertaining twist to this Christmas classics-turned-cabaret. After the musical feast, loosen up your paper hat and let your hair down as Luminescence indulges in Christmas at its trashy, tinselled best.

Presented in partnership with Canberra International Music Festival and Smith's Alternative. This event is restricted to 18+.

Please note that doors will open at 9.30pm for a 9.40pm performance.
1 hour no interval.

ARTISTS
Rachel Mink, voice
Luminescence Chamber Singers
Alex Raupach, trumpet and musical director
Tom Fell, saxophone
Chris Pound, bass/guitar
Eli Adisa, drums

A world premiere that rings out around the globe! Commissioned by Luminescence Children’s Choir together with choirs in Perth, Estonia, and Belgium, Andrew Ford’s new Christmas cycle is one for our time. Accompanied by Melbourne sensation Theo Carbo (electric guitar), this major new work aims to bring joy to all the children singing it for the first time this year, and all the children who will Sing The Birth in years to come. 

Co-commissioned in collaboration with the Flanders Boys Choir, Estonian Girls’ TV and Radio Choir, and the Schola Cantorum of St Aquinas College. Supported by Helen Moore AM, and the APRA AMCOS Art Music Fund 2023. 

Performed concurrently in Canberra, Perth, Antwerp, and Tallin, this December 2024.

1 hour, no interval

Presented in partnership with Canberra International Music Festival and Wesley Music Centre.

ARTISTS
Luminescence Children’s Choir, directed by AJ America
Theo Carbo, electric guitar
Dan Walker, tenor
Lucien Fischer, baritone
Michelle Ryan, soprano
Thomas Heywood, organ
Roland Peelman AM, percussion
Valdas Cameron, percussion

PROGRAMME

Arvo Pärt Sarah Was 90 Years Old (1976)

Andrew Ford I Sing The Birth (2004) [World Premiere]

Experience the brilliance of Australia’s most acclaimed concert organist, Thomas Heywood, in an exclusive recital for A Luminous Christmas. Performing festive gems of the organ repertoire, this is a rare and unmissable opportunity to hear a master of this mighty instrument.

60 minutes, no interval.

Presented in partnership with Canberra International Music Festival and Wesley Music Centre.

ARTISTS
Thomas Heywood, organ

PROGRAMME

Théodore Dubois (1837-1924)
Fiat lux [Let there be light] from 12 Pièces Nouvelles pour Orgue [1893]

Two pieces by Théodore Dubois (1837-1924) from 12 Pièces pour Orgue [1886]

1. Marche des Rois Mages [‘March of the Magi Kings’], No. 9

2. Grand Choeur [in B-flat major], No. 12

Alan Gray (1855-1935)
Fantasia on Christmas Carols

Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), transcribed by Edward John Hopkins (1818-1901)
Pastorale from Concerto Grosso – ‘Christmas Concerto’, Op. 6 No. 8

Eugène Gigout (1844-1925)
Rhapsodie sur des Noels from Dix Piéces [10 Pieces for Organ] (1892)

Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), trans. Dr Frederick Hohman (b.1955)
Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a No. 3

Théodore Dubois (1837-1924)
Sortie (Grand Choeur) [in E major] from 10 Pièces pour Grand Orgue [1921]

John Ebenezer West (1863-1929)

Fantasy on Two well-known Christmas Carols

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Chorale Prelude on In dulci jubilo, BWV 729

Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933)
Choral-Improvisation on In dulci jubilo, Op. 75 No. 2

An evening of uplifting Christmas music from around the world. From Medieval carols to classic Yuletide songs and traditional Nativity hymns, this concert features the sublime sounds of Luminescence Chamber Singers with internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso Thomas Heywood, and the angelic strains of Luminescence Children’s Choir, bundled into one heavenly hour. Directed by Roland Peelman.

70 minutes, no interval.

Presented in partnership with Canberra International Music Festival and Wesley Music Centre.

ARTISTS
Luminescence Chamber Singers
Luminescence Children’s Choir
Thomas Heywood, organ
Roland Peelman AM

PROGRAMME

Once in Royal David’s City H.J. Gauntlett, arr. David Willcocks
Kindelwiegen (Vom Himmel Hoch) Traditional German, Arr. A.V. Othegraven
Noël Nouvelet Traditional French Carol, arr. Stephen Jackson
Coventry Carol Traditional
Rui Rui Chiu  Ascribed to Mateo Flecha the Elder (1481 - 1553) 
Corpus Christi  Benjamin Britten (from A Boy Is Born, 1933) arr. Ruth McCall
Joseph and Mary (Cherry Tree Carol) Kentucky, arr. Roland Peelman
Before the Paling of The Stars Cecilia McDowell (2012)
Carol of the Birds W. James & J. Wheeler, arr. Roland Peelman
The Christmas Card [WP] Deborah Cheetam, arr. Dan Walker 
A Child Is Born Roland Hanna/Thad Jones, arr. Roland Peelman
We Three Kings John Henry Hopkins, arr. Roland Peelman
Sleeping Child Bob Chilcott
O Little Town of Bethlehem Traditional English, arranged by David Willcocks
Hark The Herald Angels Sing F Mendelssohn, Arr. David Willcocks
O Come All Ye Faithful J.F. Wade Arr. David Willcocks
Stille Nacht Franz Xaver Gruber