HOUSTON CHAMBER CHOIR PRESENTS CHRISTMAS AT THE VILLA: ARISE, SHINE, FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME! AT VILLA DE MATEL

WHAT: The serene beauty of the Chapel of the Villa da Matel is a perfect setting for the enchanting array of traditional carols and new Christmas favorites presented each year by the Houston Chamber Choir. This year’s program is Christmas at the Villa: Arise, shine, for your light has come! These annual Christmas concerts have become a Houston holiday tradition. 

Houston Chamber Choir welcomes back the Treble Choir of Houston at Christ Church Cathedral, directed by Marianna Parnas-Simpson for the 2:30 p.m. performances. This year, the outstanding professional bell choir, Houston Bronze, is the special guest for the 5 p.m. performances. 

In the giving spirit of the holidays, patrons are invited to bring items to donate to The Beacon, a nonprofit in downtown Houston that works to end homelessness and restore hope. Needed are disposable razors, new socks, toiletries, medical scrubs and new or gently used bath towels.     

WHO: The professional men and women singers of the Houston Chamber Choir will be led by conductor Robert Simpson. He is founder and artistic director of the Houston Chamber Choir and Canon for Music at historic Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal in Houston). The Choir will be joined by the Treble Choir of Houston, directed by Mariana Parnas-Simpson, and by the professional bell choir, Houston Bronze.

WHEN: Dec. 14 – 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.                                                                                                                    Dec. 15 – 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

WHERE: Chapel at the Villa de Matel                                                                                                                       6510 Lawndale St., Houston, 77023

TARIFF: Tickets to the event are $40. Discounts are available for seniors, first responders, music educators and students.

MORE: For parking: All vehicles must enter through the main gate to the Villa de Matel on Lawndale Street. Free parking is available on site. The parking lot is in the Northwest corner of the Villa de Matel campus. There will be golf cart shuttles to assist you from the parking lot to the chapel if needed.

About Houston Chamber Choir

The Houston Chamber Choir has established itself as one of the premier professional choirs in the United States, serving Houston through concerts and educational initiatives that enlighten, entertain, and educate people of all ages. Winner of Chorus America’s 2018 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, it has been described by The Tallis Scholars founder Peter Phillips as “one of this country’s leading ensembles.” The Choir also received The American Prize for best choral performance in the country and its Artistic Director Robert Simpson received the award in the conducting category in 2015. The Chamber Choir released its fifth CD, The Complete Choral Works of Maurice Duruflé, with organist Ken Cowan, in April 2019.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Simpson, the Houston Chamber Choir is composed of 24 professional singers, most of whom have studied at the top music schools and conservatories in the United States including Julliard, New England Conservatory, University of Houston, and the University of Texas. These musicians are selected through rigorous auditions from the finest singers in our region and are compensated for all rehearsals and performances.