The North Florida Women's Chorale will present a free concert entitled, "Cradle Songs and Carols," Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in Atlantic Beach.
The program of lullabies from many cultures was inspired by "Cradle Hymn" by Kim Andre Arnesen, a young Norwegian composer. Many of the songs and carols on the program refer to lullabies, cradles, infants and, of course, the manger. The Japanese lullaby, “Takeda,” is humorous in its reference to the plight of a babysitter who is having trouble soothing a child.
“The Moon in Wintertime” presents the perspective of how the baby is cradled in a different culture, the Canadian Huron people. No cradle theme would be complete without the most loved cradle song of all, “Away in a Manger.” The arrangement of the familiar hymn, which is attributed to Martin Luther, is a soothing and beautiful weaving of two familiar tune settings of this carol.
Come hear the Women's Chorale of 35 voices, directed by Kerry Fradley with Kathleen Vande Berg as collaborative accompanist. There will be an audience sing-along, and the concert is free. The organization is collecting donations of baby items to be given to St. Gerard Campus. Visit www.womenschorale.org for more information.
