At a time when there is such a desire to “get back to normal,” coming out of the global pandemic, we yearn for the Christmas of old – the gathering of friends to listen to and sing songs of the season, enjoy the warmth of the holidays, and celebrate the midwinter.  This sense of yearning guided ISing Choir in the program selection for their Yearning for Christmas concert that will be presented at the Patricia Reser Reser Center for the Arts on December 3 and 4.

ISing, under the direction of Stephen Galván, will be joined by members of the Big Horn Brass Ensemble, organist Dan Miller, and pianist Yvonne Yang in a celebration of the season which includes familiar tunes like “Joy to the world,” “Angels we have heard on high,” and “The snow lay on the ground” in new arrangements.  The choir will also share the stage with ICAN Production Assistant on All Classical Portland, Steven Joinson, who will narrate “Brother Heinrich’s Christmas”.  Honoring the people of Ukraine, the choir will perform two Ukrainian pieces, one of which is familiar to many as “Carol of the Bells.”  The concert will conclude with the electrifying “Gloria” by John Rutter.