National Chamber Ensemble Holiday Concert

National Chamber Ensemble presents a spectacular holiday concert for the community on Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. NCE’s Holiday Cheer concert highlights the finest classical and contemporary masterpieces and holiday favorites together for the whole family. After a season of virtual performances NCE is thrilled to bring the Reuniting With The Masters LIVE season in person. A streaming video option is available for those unable to join at the venue. Chamber music is about intimacy of communication with the other musicians but also with the audience. We are excited to make music live.

The festivities include Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride”, “Chanukkah Festival” and “Rejoice” from Handel’s “Messiah”, Strauss Waltzes, the gorgeous music from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” and more. Young Artist Piano Competition winners will join the ensemble to perform following the competition finals on Dec 4. A Carols Sing-Along concludes the program to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Star soprano Sharon Christman joins the ensemble to sing ” Rejoice” from Handel’s Messiah, Caccini’s Ave Maria and some holiday carols. In addition to being professor of voice at Catholic University in Washington D.C., Ms. Christman has performed leading roles with opera companies around the globe including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera and Dallas Opera among many others. Peter Davis of New York Magazine has called Ms. Christman’s singing “dazzling.” Daniel Webster of The Philadelphia Enquirer called her “a polished stylist with a gleaming voice.”  Ms. Christman has been a guest soloist at The White House and a recitalist in numerous Artist Series including the National Gallery of Art. She was privileged to present the Washington premiere of John Corigliano’s new song cycle, The Tambourine Man, at the request of the composer, first with National Musical Arts and then for the Cosmos Club Artist Series.