Christmas at the Cathedral with Portland's Choral Art Society, December 6 and 7

PORTLAND'S CHORAL ART SOCIETY PRESENTS CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL, DECEMBER 6 AND 7

PORTLAND, Maine ’Äì For the 19^th consecutive year, the Choral Art Society (CAS) will present their popular Portland holiday tradition, Christmas at the Cathedral, featuring the Choral Art Singers, the Portland Brass Quintet, and organist Dan Moore. The concerts begin Saturday, December 6 with a preview performance at noon and full concert at 8:00 p.m., and additional performances Sunday, December 7 at 2:30 and 7:00 p.m. Concerts are held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street in Portland.

From the majestic opening processional to the poignant candlelit finale, this concert is filled with stirring and exquisite seasonal music. The Choral Art Singers, joined by the Portland Brass Quintet and organist Dan Moore, will perform Vivaldi's Gloria as well as familiar seasonal music, a cappella motets, and music for chorus and brass as part of this concert celebrating the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas at the Cathedral is sponsored by Norton Insurance and Financial, Tom's of Maine, and Sunday River. Advance tickets are $20 for standard seating and $30 for premium seating. At the door, standard seating tickets are $25. Tickets for the Saturday noon preview are $10 for adults and $5.00 for youth (under age 21), and are available only at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.choralart.org or (207) 828-0043.

Other upcoming CAS holiday events include their annual CAS Messiah Sing-Along and Handel on Hunger Food Drive, Monday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The food drive will benefit Project FEED, an emergency food pantry in Portland, and admission is $5.00 at the door (students are free). An Epiphany Celebration will be held Saturday, January 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Portland. Visit www.choralart.org for more information.

About The Choral Art Society:
The Society has more than 150 members who perform in three distinct ensembles: the symphonic Masterworks Chorus, the mid-sized Choral Art Singers, and the intimate a cappella Camerata. All singers are skilled amateurs, selected by audition. The Society offers an annual concert series and appears regularly as guests of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Robert Russell, professor of music at the University of Southern Maine, is the conductor and artistic director of The Choral Art Society.

For more information about The Choral Art Society and the 2008-09 performances visit www.choralart.org or call (207) 828-0043.