Experience the wonder and excitement of the Christmas story through J. S. Bach’s joyful Christmas Oratorio. The Madison-based Wisconsin Chamber Choir and a professional orchestra will perform this masterpiece in the resonant acoustics of Whitewater’s First United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 17 at 4:00 pm.

A rich cast of characters comes to life in Bach’s picturesque music. Alto Rachel Wood is the voice of Mary, while the choir sings the words of the angels and the shepherds. Some of Bach’s most memorable four-part chorales interpret the meaning of the story, and the oratorio as a whole is framed by ebullient, dance-like choruses featuring virtuoso trumpets, timpani, flutes, oboes, and strings. Conducted by UW-Whitewater music professor Robert Gehrenbeck, the performers include UWW faculty Rachel Wood, alto; Sarah Read Gehrenbeck, organ; Leanne Kelso, violin; Cristina Ballatori, flute; and Tobie Wilkinson, timpani.

Sunday, December 17 at 4:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater

Tickets range from $5 [for students] to $20 [for adults] and are available in advance from www.wisconsinchamberchoir.org, and at the door. [The ticketing page also indicates that there is “Special ticket pricing for people who are experiencing financial hardship.”]

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Robert Gehrenbeck.