Press Release

Cantemus Presents “Once Upon a Winter: Tales of Wonder Through a Child’s Eyes” in December

(October 12, 2026) — Cantemus Chamber Chorus, with 43 members from across the North Shore, will present three concerts in December titled “Once Upon a Winter: Tales of Wonder Through a Child’s Eyes” in Newburyport, Beverly, and Gloucester.

The concerts feature Matthew Harris’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” based on the beloved holiday tale by Dylan Thomas, alongside a rich tapestry of contemporary and traditional repertoire from different cultures reflecting themes of wonder, home, darkness, returning light, and memory. The program includes R. Murray Schafer’s “Snowforms, “Song for Yalda Night,” an Iranian piece about the longest night of the year, the “Kangding Love Song,” a Chinese folk song associated with the Winter Solstice festival Dongzhi, Morten Lauridsen’s “Lament for Pasiphaë,” traditional Hanukkah songs “Mi Y’maleil/S’vivon,” Daniel Kantor’s “Night of Silence,” and more.

Joining Cantemus will be an 11-piece chamber orchestra as well as the Lexington Children’s Chorus (LCC), an auditioned choral ensemble for singers in grades 4-6. Founded by Artistic Director Allison Iannuzzi in 2019, the LCC has collaborated with the Lexington Symphony Orchestra, the Lexington High School Choral Program, the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes & Drums, and other community arts partners.

Cantemus’ concerts will take place in Newburyport on Saturday, December 5 at St. Paul’s Church, 166 High St.; in Beverly on Saturday, December 12 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4 Ocean St.; and in Gloucester on Sunday, December 13 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church St. All three performances are at 4:00 p.m.

Cantemus’ Artistic Director Jason Iannuzzi said: “Across cultures and centuries, the year’s longest nights have drawn people together to light candles, gather around tables, tell stories, and sing.“ Though customs differ from place to place, “they often spring from the same desires: for warmth, for home, for hope, and for one another. The concert traces this shared story through the eyes of a child.” Allison Iannuzzi said, “There is something truly special about experiencing the wonder of the winter season through a child’s eyes. The Children’s Chorus is delighted to collaborate with Cantemus to share music celebrating the beauty of winter traditions. We hope this music invites us all to rediscover the magic of the season and the shared experiences that unite us.”

For more information about the program and to purchase tickets, visit www.cantemus.org/tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, space permitting.

Cantemus gratefully acknowledges sponsorship support from Eastern Bank, Institution for Savings, and Rockland Trust, and funding support from the Local Cultural Councils of Newbury, Newburyport, Rockport, and West Newbury. Cantemus participates in the Card to Culture program, a Mass Cultural Council initiative that offers reduced-price tickets to card holders.

Cantemus is a member of MASSCreative.org and the Greater Boston Choral Consortium.

Cantemus singers come from across the North Shore and New Hampshire: Amesbury: Gary Lubarsky, Ron Pressler. Beverly: Jennie-Rebecca Falcetta, Christina Frei, Karen Kepler, Richard Salandrea, Marjorie Short. Bradford: Mern Ebinger. Danvers: Janet Glasser, Jeremy Satchell. Durham, NH: Sydney van Asselt. Essex: Betsy Vicksell. Georgetown: Patricia Clark. Gloucester: Roger Garberg, Doug Smith. Haverhill: Doug Guy, Lea Pearson. Ipswich: Jill Gleim, Elizabeth Krafchuk, Anne Maguire, Stephen Miles. Lexington: Artistic Director Jason Iannuzzi. Lynnfield: Leslie Carey. Manchester: Isabella Bates, Caroline Royer, Byron Winn. Melrose: Accompanist Jeffrey Mead. Newburyport: Richard Blumenscheid, Claire Cayot, Brian Greenberg, Ann Harter, Mark Robbins. North Reading: Priscilla March. Rockport: Brittany Betts. Roslindale: Deborah Lemont. Salem: Alexandra Asacker. Somerville: Azalea Yunus. South Hamilton: Donna Gale. Topsfield: Dennis van Maaren. Wenham: Ben Wilcox. West Newbury: Jamie Cabot, Melissa Lugo, Susan Nash.

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For timely release before November 12, 2026
Further information: Priscilla March (press@cantemus.org)