NVCC Chorus To Celebrate The Holidays

With A Pair Of Weekend Performances

WATERBURY  — The public is invited to join the Naugatuck Valley Community College Chorus for its holiday performances, featuring Bach’s Magnificat and the US premiere of “Por que llorax,” a Sephardic piece from Israel, on Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18.

Both the Saturday performance, which will be at 8 pm, and the Sunday performance at 3 pm will be held on the Mainstage at NVCC’s Fine Arts Center, located on its main campus at 750 Chase Parkway.

A $10 donation is suggested at the door.

Magnificat, one of Bach’s best-loved pieces, was written for the Christmas of 1723 and, as such, has long been a holiday favorite.

“Por que llorax,” or “Why Are You Crying?” was written for a Tel Aviv choir conducted by an acquaintance of NVCC Chorus Director Richard Gard. The chorus raised money to have the music engraved in printed form to bring it to the United States for the first time.

A folk song from the Sephards, Jews who were expelled from Spain and Portugal in 1492, “Por que llorax” is a dialogue between a weeping young woman and a wandering knight who she later discovers is her husband thought lost in battle.

Like Magnificat, its performance will feature an accompanying orchestra, but it will also feature costumed NVCC dancers. Chorus member Jacquie Boutote will be the featured soloist.

The performances will also include Christmas music from Australia by Colin Brumby.

For more information, call 203-575-8049. Full details about the concert, directions to the concert location or additional information is also available at  or visit www.nvcc.commnet.edu.