Celebrate the music of Christmas at the annual Catholic University Christmas Concert for Charity on Friday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. N.E., Washington, DC 20017. The Basilica is near the Brookland-CUA Metro and parking is free.
The concert will feature performances by students and faculty from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Performing Arts at The Catholic University of America.
This Washington, D.C., holiday tradition draws standing-room-only crowds each year and raises thousands of dollars for a designated charity through free-will offerings. This year’s beneficiary is Holy Family parish, the only Catholic parish in Gaza.
Music Preview
The concert program will include music from the professional Repertory Chorus, conducted by graduate and undergraduate sacred music students, performing Antonio Vivaldi’s Magnificat RV 610. The soloists will be vocal performance students.
The Chamber Choir will make its Christmas Concert debut under the direction of Peter Kadeli, head of sacred music and director of choral activities, while the University Chorus will perform Christmas carols and sacred works.
Maestro Simeone Tartaglione will conduct Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 8, Mvt. III, and student Aidan Feeny will conduct Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves.
The concert also will feature a composition by Professor Andrew Earle Simpson that is performed by Michelle Cho, on the woodwind faculty at the Rome School.
Concert will be aired on EWTN during the Christmas season
The concert will be taped live by EWTN and aired on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. ET; Dec. 20 at 10 p.m. ET; Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m. ET; Dec. 24, 4 p.m. ET; and Jan. 1 at 3 p.m. ET.