There's no better way to welcome Christmas than with Welcome Christmas! It's the VocalEssence holiday concert from American Public Media. Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence welcome Christmas with music for the season new and old. For over three decades, VocalEssence has been revered in Minnesota and around the world as a premier producer of innovative choral music.

Welcome Christmas!, presented once again this year by host John Birge, has become a perennial holiday favorite. It features the Minneapolis-based ensemble, VocalEssence, recognized internationally as one of America's premier choral organizations. Philip Brunelle leads the 120-voice VocalEssence Chorus and the 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.

Listen to the program

Music:
Traditional, arr. Mack Wilberg: I Saw Three Ships
Mitchell Southall: In Silent Night
Matthew Brown: Sweet Was the Song
J.A.P. Schulz, arr. Paul Brandvik: Thy Little Ones, Dear Lord Gustaf Nordqvist: Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul Michael Praetorius, arr. James Sutcliffe: Lo, How a Rose e're Blooming Conrad Susa: Love-Song Serenade (selections)
Stephen Main: The Darkest Midnight in December
Mykola Leontovich: Carol of the Bells
Traditional, arr. Stephen Mager: Carol of the Birds
Traditional, arr. Healey Willan: What is This Lovely Fragrance?
Paul Lohman: What Child
Handel: Hallelujah Chorus