The Marvel of This Night Christmas concerts by Schola Cantorum

The Northwest Florida State College sponsored Schola Cantorum vocal ensemble presents a series of free Christmas concerts titled “The Marvel of This Night” in December at area churches. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm and are free of charge with donations accepted to support the music programs at NWFSC.

The concerts will be held Wednesdays, December 3rd at St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church on Hwy 98 in Fort Walton Beach; December 10 at First Presbyterian Church in Crestview; and December 17 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar.

The “Marvel of this Night” concerts will feature a variety of traditional and contemporary Christmas music from the 14th century to present including the Kyrie and Gloria from Mass of the Nativity by Richard Shepard, Sleep Holy Baby, A Maiden Most Gentle, The Wexford Carol, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Glory to the Newborn King, Go Tell It On The Mountain and more.

Schola Cantorum (translated “School of Singing”) is under the direction of NWFSC adjunct music professor John Leatherwood, who is also the emeritus (retired) conductor of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Carolyn Schlatter, piano; Robin Horne, flute and Carole Hayes, violin.

Schola Cantorum performs an eclectic blend of music from all periods of composition from early to modern in community venues each December and Spring. For information contact John Leatherwood, at (850) 830-2062 or the NWFSC Fine Arts Division at 729-5382.

Members of Schola Cantorum include vocalists from throughout the community including:

FORT WALTON: Sara Florence, Mike Lindhorst, Richard Montague, Brittany Parry, Greg Parry, David Stroup, Floyd Stroup, and Becky Sumner;

FREEPORT: Sara Florence;

NICEVILLE: Dick Campis, Katie Howze, Uma Jolly, Lin Loughlin, Christof Pietsch, and Rebecca Wendel

SHALIMAR: Tim Crawford.