The eminently British composer Gustav Holst (1874-1934) is best-known for his orchestral suite The Planets, but he led a busy life as a choirmaster and organist and composer/arranger of choral music. Holst was integral to the revitalization of the English traditional hymn and folksong. These Four Old English Carols breathe new life into the ancient Christmas story while embracing the traditional church choral roots they sprang from: "A Babe Is Born", "Now Let Us Sing", "Jesu, Thou the Virgin Born", and "The Saviour of the World Is Born".

We'll also perform two more of Holst's holiday offerings - one reverent, one hearty: "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Bring Us In Good Ale".

Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759), prolific composer responsible for the beloved holiday classic The Messiah and numerous other magnificent oratorios, operas and instrumental works, became the director of music for the Duke of Chandos, for whom he composed 11 Chandos Anthems and other works. The text of the 8th anthem is drawn from several Old Testament psalms, and feature several majestic choruses as well as solo arias for soprano, alto and tenor. Though the Chandos anthems were written for a small group of singers and instrumentalists, they contain almost every type and style of Handel's composing, and exemplify what he was known for as a composer: the height of elegant and clear baroque music.

Edward Elgar (1857-1934). Three Part-Songs, Op. 18: ""O Happy Eyes", "Love", and "My Love Dwelt In a Northern Land".

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91).