A Prelude To Christmas Program: Lessons and Carols at St. James’ Dec. 10

One of the most memorable musical events for the public in our little county––at least to my mind––are the occasional concert or musical programs at our St. James’ Episcopal Church. I am pleased to announce a new program is in the works to inspire attendees in anticipation of Christmas. This will be the second event featuring the church’s new, glorious Steinway piano.

In my review of St. James’s first Steinway concert in August, I remarked about the full-house attendance. I also mentioned the range of emotions of the audience: from applause, to whooping, and, in one tender moment, tears.

The December 10 “Lessons and Carols” should be no different. The musical leaders are the same: Don Kirby, the church’s accomplished Music Director, and Mary Ann Hatfield, the masterful pianist and organist.

The program for the afternoon–– biblical readings interspersed with hymns and choral anthems––will be eclectic. A highlight will be the performance of J.S. Bach’s “Leibster Herr Jesu” (Dearest Lord Jesu), written in 1736.

A very special highpoint of the concert will be Mark Burrows’ “Thou Shalt Know Him.” Bach’s birth year was 338 years ago, while Burrows’ was 1971, 52 years ago. Did I say “eclectic”?

And while Bach’s early years were storied, Burrows’ were somewhat shaky. He was almost thrown out of his West Texas middle school choir for being a disrupter. He begged his principal to relent since the choir meant more to him than anything in life.

The principal yielded. Burrows doubled down on music. Today he is one of the most respected choral composers around. I asked Burrows what his mind-set was when creating his “Thou Shalt Know Him”––his hymn featured in the December 10 program.

He responded, “I wanted the melody to be something simple and straightforward. But underneath that, I tried to create some interesting harmonic shifts. I wanted to capture the sense of both wonder and humility the text depicts so beautifully.”

“Harmonic shifts” is apropos for the St. James’ choir known for their singing multiple parts rather than straight melody.

I can’t say for sure, but I believe it will be either Hatfield’s virtuosic artistry on the Steinway or Burrows’ harmonic piece that touches the audience members most.

Of course, there’s that Bach piece ….

Where and when: Sunday, December 10 at 3 pm. St. James’ Episcopal Church in La Grange (across from the H-E-B.) I’d get there early.