On Dec. 7, the Chanticleer Vocal Ensemble will bring their holiday program to Princeton University Concert audiences with their beloved “Chanticleer Christmas.” Join them for a festive evening in the Princeton University Chapel. The ensemble’s unique blend of early music and contemporary styles, combined with their holiday spirit, makes this concert a must-see show. Prior to the concert, at 5:30pm is the Do-Re-Meet LGBTQIA+ and Allies Mingle (and Ugly Sweater Party!) at the Maclean House on the Princeton University Campus.
Founded in 1978 in San Francisco, Chanticleer has a rich history and a unique sound that has captivated audiences worldwide. “San Francisco at that time was always a haven for a lot of different people, and it still feels that way,” shared Tim Keeler, the music director. This inclusive spirit has been a cornerstone of the ensemble’s identity.
The group, consisting of 12 singers, features countertenors, tenors, and basses. The GRAMMY Award-winning vocal ensemble is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices,” and has evolved to be more inclusive, focusing on the voice parts rather than gender. “Everybody in the group identifies as male, but we just say countertenor, tenor, and bass when we talk about the ensemble,” explained Keeler.
Chanticleer began as an early music group, inspired by the Grace Cathedral choir in San Francisco, which follows the ancient Renaissance and medieval tradition. “The idea was to do something similar to the King Singers and explore Renaissance and medieval music as it might have been heard back in the day.”
“Joe Jennings, who grew up in the South, brought this black gospel and jazz tradition with him when he came to San Francisco and joined the group in 1983,” Keeler recounted. “The very next year, he became music director because everybody was aware of his prodigious talents. I credit him with introducing the group to a lot of this more contemporary repertoire of vocal jazz and gospel.”
As it relates to a Chanticleer Christmas, the concert always starts with some Gregorian chant by candlelight, setting a mystical mood. “We start by candlelight with Gregorian chant and usually some Renaissance polyphony as we process in. The first few pieces are always in that more mystical mood.”
This year, the program is loosely based around English carols, featuring 15th-century carols along with modern interpretations by composers like Benjamin Britten and Sarah Quartel. The second half of the program includes more familiar secular Christmas music, such as a beautiful arrangement of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by the jazz vocalist Amanda Taylor and “Joy to the World” by Chanticleer countertenor Adam Brett Ward.
“In addition to those carols, we always sing Biebl’s ‘Ave Maria’ at every Chanticleer Christmas concert. It’s a piece that Chanticleer is most known for, and our audiences love it,” shared Keeler.
Don’t miss your opportunity to experience Chanticleer’s enchanting performance in Princeton on Dec. 7. It’s an event that promises to be both memorable and inspiring.
