For the Gazette

STEVENS POINT — The Monteverdi Master Chorale, under the direction of James A. Carpenter, will present Voices of Christmas to open its 32nd Anniversary Season on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and on Dec. 9 at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, formerly St. Stanislas Church.

Carols, hymns, and songs of the season from around the world and across the centuries will be presented, featuring Gustav Holst’s Christmas Day, a choral fantasy on traditional carols. This concert is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin, and in partnership with Wisconsin Public Radio and the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

The Monteverdi Master Chorale is led by James A. Carpenter, Artistic Director. Carpenter has over twenty years of professional experience in choral conducting and education and holds a bachelor’s degree in choral music education and voice from Ithaca College, NY and a master’s degree in choral conducting from UW-Madison.   The Monteverdi Master Chorale is a regional, sixty-member, multigenerational, auditioned community group encompassing many musical backgrounds.

The mission of the Monteverdi Master Chorale is to present excellent choral music reflecting various periods and styles performed by auditioned regional musicians for diverse, mostly regional audiences.  Monteverdi Master Chorale is in its 32nd performance season.  Singers hail from Stevens Point, Plover, Mosinee, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, Junction City, Rosholt, Amherst, Custer, Waupaca, Marshfield, and Wautoma.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and $5 for students.  Monteverdi Master Chorale is happy to provide one free student ticket with each paid general admission or senior ticket.  Tickets are available from john@monteverdichorale.org, from any Monteverdi Chorale member, or at the door.