2011 Holiday Concert

When the organ in the Oberndorff village church in the Tyrolean Alps of Austria broke down on Christmas Eve, 1818, the church's priest and organist created a new carol with simple chords that could be played on a guitar. Since Silent Night was born that night, the guitar has played an ever-growing role in music for the holidays.

Minnesota's premiere guitarist Jeffrey Van joins the Choral Society in a garland of carols for chorus and guitar, including several of his own creation, from his bouncy Manger Dance to his achingly lovely Christmas Lullaby. And yes, we’ll all sing Silent Night together as it was originally offered, with guitar.

Jeffrey VanA Guitar for Christmas Concert Details - Official concert eCard

Date: Sunday, December 11th at 3pm
Location: St. Therese Parish
18323 Minnetonka Blvd
Deephaven, MN 55391
Ticket price: $18 for adults - $10 for students (17 and younger)
Buy tickets: Available at the door or directly from MCS members
Bulk tickets: Contact our Ticket Sales Chair Jacque Ridgway
Tickets online: Use your credit card via our secure Buy Now button below and pick up your tickets at Will Call

Jeffrey Van - Guitar Soloist

Guitarist and composer Jeffrey Van has premiered more than 50 works for guitar, including Dominick Argento's Letters from Composers, five concertos, and a broad variety of chamber music.  He has performed in Carnegie Hall, London's Wigmore Hall, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and as part of Duologue, with flutist Susan Morris De Jong, has premiered and recorded commissioned works from more than a dozen composers, including Stephen Paulus, Roberto Sierra, Tania Leon, Michael Daugherty, Libby Larsen and William Bolcom.

He has been featured on many National Public Radio broadcasts, including St. Paul Sunday, has made several solo and ensemble recordings, and appears on eight recordings with the Dale Warland Singers.  Van has taught master classes throughout the United States, and earned an M.F.A. from the University of Minnesota School of Music, where he was a Lecturer in Guitar for several decades.

Mr. Van's compositions include works for guitar, guitar and violin, guitar and flute, chorus, chamber ensemble, and vocal solo.  His music is published by MorningStar Music Publishers, Boosey & Hawkes, Walton, Colla Voce, Hal Leonard, and earthsongs, and a CD of his Reflexiones Concertantes (Concerto for Two Guitars and Chamber Orchestra) has been released on the Centaur label.

Minnetonka Choral Society

If you would like to join us, support our non-profit organization or buy concert tickets, please call 952-476-1922 or contact the MCS. We look forward to sharing beautiful music with you!

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