What:                         “The Denver Brass: Joy to the World!”

When:                         Sunday, Dec 18 – 4:00pm, Thursday, Dec. 22 – 7:30pm, Friday, Dec 23 – 7:30pm

Where:                       Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver CO 80210

Admission:                 $24 - $43, visit www.denverbrass.org or call 303-832-HORN(4676)

The Denver Brass, well-known for its long tradition of elegant, entertaining Christmas concerts, will perform “The Denver Brass: Joy to the World!” on December 18, 22 & 23. The Denver Brass and guest vocalists from gospel ensemble Dave LeMieux & House of Soul will remind you why the Christmas season really is the most magical time of the year.  You won’t believe your eyes or your ears!

For many years, The Denver Brass has produced “shows” – productions which are “more than a concert,” incorporating diverse music, theatrical lighting, creative staging, unusual collaborations, an engaging and informative concert host, and special elements designed to break down the barrier between those on the stage and not, making the audience part of the show.  “The Denver Brass: Joy to the World!” is at the acoustically magnificent Newman Center for the Performing Arts, where the sound of brass is perfectly complemented by the size, shape, and elegance of Gates Concert Hall.

Part of what makes The Denver Brass special is its reputation for innovative collaborations that produce shows of lasting impact, and this Christmas show is no exception.  The Denver Brass is excited to begin a new collaboration with gospel musicians from local group Dave LeMieux & House of Soul.  Together the two groups will deliver the inspirational Christmas message in an all new way with movements from A Soulful Messiah and a jazzed-up take on “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear.”  The two groups will also bring in the funk with a high-energy, Afro-Cuban arrangement of “Go Tell It On the Mountain” (Dilo en la Montaña), and reflect on the sacred nature of that very Silent Night with lush, Romantic harmonies.

Take a sleigh ride, hear what the Brass Winds said to the Drummer Boy, dance with Frosty the Snowman and, as the children know, when the “Grinch” shows up, expect the unexpected!  (Who knew the Grinch was a tuba player?)  The concert will close in brilliant Denver Brass tradition as vocalists and audience singing John Rutter’s glorious arrangement of O Come All Ye Faithful, which has been the traditional finale for Denver Brass Christmas concerts for over two decades!  O Come, O Come and join the celebration.  Let the joyful sounds of the Christmas season surround you as you relax, reminisce and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

Program chosen from:

Personent Hodie                                                                         Piae Cantiones (1587)

                A gift from Jerry & Linda Berry                                         arr. Andrew Wolfe

Joy to the World                                                                        G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

                                                                                                    arr. Dave LeMieux

O Holy Night                                                                             Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)

                A gift from Jan Bente                                                    arr. Kaitlin Odil

O Come Emmanuel                                                                   Traditional

                A gift In Loving Memory of Kevin M Hart                          arr. Chris Lang & Kaitlin Odil

Said the Brass Winds to the Drummer Boy                                     arr. Dave Hanson

                A gift from Ron Bollig

                Do You Hear What I Hear? - Regney & Shayne

                Little Drummer Boy - Davis, Onorati & Simeone

                Still Still - Traditional German Carol

Go Tell It on the Mountain                                                          John W. Work

                A gift from Rita, Joe, Casey and Mikey Garrity               arr. Chris Lang & Kaitlin Odil

Christmas Favorites                                                                 Torme, Berlin, Livingston & Evans

                White Christmas, Silver Bells, Christmas Song              arr. Dave Hanson

Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration                                    G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

                Overture (arr. Kaitlin Odil)                                             arr. Warren, Jackson & Kissle

                Every Valley Shall Be Exalted (arr. Matt White)

                Hallelujah! (arr. Dave LeMieux)

A Christmas Festival                                                                  Leroy Anderson

        A gift from Linda and Jerry Berry                                           trans. Kenneth Singleton

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear                                                   Traditional

                                                                                                     arr. Dave LeMieux & Kaitlin Odil

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch                                                   Albert Hague (1920-2001)

                                                                                                     arr. Jack Fredericksen

I Have Come to Worship the King                                                   Dave LeMieux & Dr. Jim Gilbert

                                                                                                     arr. Dave LeMieux

I’ll Be Home for Christmas                                                              Walter Kent

                A gift from Doug and Maureen Miller                                 arr. Jack Fredericksen

Silent Night                                                                                  Franz Gruber (1787-1863)

                                                                                                      arr. Les Stallings

O Come all Ye Faithful                                                                   John F Wade (1711-1786)                

                                                                                                     arr. John Rutter