Blooming Grove — For this year's traditional holiday concert, the Orange County Choral Classic Society under the direction of Janiece Kohler did something different; In Sunday afternoon's concert, the group's members performed an untraditional version of the Christmas story.

Unlike the telling of Christ's birth in Bethlehem, "A Ceremony of Carols" by Benjamin Britten draws upon 14th- and 15th-century poems and carols to create a bleak and wintry atmosphere in England. Originally composed for boys' chorus and harp in 1942, the presentation at the United Church of Christ in Blooming Grove offered a 61-voice chorus of men and women who delivered a thoughtful interpretation of the composition

In the opening "Procession," the Chorus women in blocked phrases of Latin text announced the birth of Christ, following which they concluded the piece with sumptuous a cappella repetitions of "Alleluia."

Except for the final "Recession," also in Latin, all the remaining pieces were in the English language of 500 years ago.

Thus, in "Wolcum Yole," with its dated text, the tutti chorus welcomed its "hevene king" and visitors with a festive invitation to the celebration.

In both "The Yonge Child" and the following "Balulalow," soloists Kristine MacMillin and Jody Weatherstone, respectively, captured the lullaby moods with lyric voices and sensitive singing. Harpist Laura Majestic, besides providing gentle and airy support for the soloists, was also featured in a lengthy "Interlude" solo in which she exhibited the facile techniques of smooth melody-playing and running glissandos.

Besides concern for the "trembling babe" by the choristers at the beginning of "In Freezing Winter Night," they were in full-throated and exuberant voice by the close of this expansive number as well as in the concluding "Deo gracias."

After intermission, the singers were joined by an ensemble of seven brass players and a three-member percussion group in a nonstop 32-song medley of Christmas numbers pieced together by one of Fred Waring's top arrangers, Harry Simeone.

Following a glorious "Sing We Now O Christmas," the singers and players peeled off oft-changing sequences ranging from an idyllic "What Child Is This?" to a dramatic "Joy to the World" to a jazzy "Go Tell It on the Mountain" with riffs.

Another contrast of songs found the singers delivering a warm rendition of "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" in dulcet a cappella tones followed by a big brass and percussion accompaniment of "Deck the Halls."

And while, in a sea of longtime and familiar carols, "The Little Drummer Boy" with drumming sounds of the men and nubile singing by the women stood out for its innocent mood, it was the glorious delivery of "Adeste Fideles" that brought the concert to a resounding close.

If you go ...

What: "Christmas Music by Britten and Simeone," performed by the Orange County Classic Choral Society and Orchestra
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 33 Park Place, Goshen   (directions)
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 16
Tickets: Freewill donation
Call: 928-6462

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