Rutter Gloria and Brass Ensemble Highlight Sheepscot ​Dec. 3 ​Christmas Concert Sheepscot Valley Chorus will perform their Christmas concert Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 3:00 PM, at Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. Featured on this ever-popular program will be the beautiful and stirring ​”​Gloria​”​ of John Rutter, perfomed with a professional brass ensemble, organ, and percussion. Also featured on the concert will be ​”​Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence​”​ by Gustav Holst, ​”​Hodie Christus Natus Est​”​ for chorus and brass by Renaissance composer Giovanni Gabrieli, and ​”​The Many Moods of Christmas Suite Four​”​ by choral music legend Robert Shaw and arranger extraordinaire Robert Russell Bennett. John Rutter noted Francis Poulenc, Igor Stravinsky and William Walton as influences for his ​”Gloria​”​​​ setting. Rutter also noted the influence of Gregorian chant throughout the work. A reviewer noted as Rutter’s hallmarks: “an unfailing knack to get to the root of the text, exquisitely balanced vocal writing, melting harmonies, intensely sweet turns of phrase, short ecstatic climaxes, but also a willingness to be astringent, and rhythmically powerful.” Another reviewer attributed the lasting success of Rutter’s music to the fact that he “writes music that people want to perform and to hear”, and that it is interesting and challenging for performers. The combination of brass and percussion coupled with pipe organ is one not to be missed. Christmas favorites such as ​”​Sleigh Ride​”​ will also be sung. Sheepscot Chorus is lead by director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming, both of Damariscotta. Advance tickets may be purchased at Maine Coast Book Shop, Sherman’s Books, and Treats. Tickets are $15 at the door, and free to students. For more info​​rmation, please visit our website at sheepscotvalleychorus.org, or call Marjorie DiVece at 207-882-6338.