Fallbrook Music Society to present glorious Christmas music

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Music Society's "FESTIVA" Christmas concert will bring a unique pairing of traditional and contemporary selections in a program that's certain to awaken the spirit of the season. Back by popular demand, Camarada returns to the stage with a diverse musical palette that will fill the theater with the "sounds of the season" – ranging from Bach to Blues.

"This acclaimed San Diego based ensemble deftly explores the interplay of percussion, piano, strings and flute," Bob Freaney, president of Fallbrook Music Society, said. "We are proud to bring this much-loved group back to Fallbrook for our special holiday program."

Camarada's presentation will feature seldom-heard works such as "Sinfonia" from the Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach; "Five Carols" by Peter Crisafulli and Baroque and Blue from Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano by Claude Bollng." More familiar selections such as "Greensleeves," "O Holy Night," "A Child is Born" and "Ave Maria" will also be celebrated in this special concert experience, which will culminate in a grand holiday medley.

Native Hawaiian soprano Tasha Koontz is an artist garnering attention from coast to coast, and she will join Camarada for the magical, musical afternoon. Displaying her powerhouse voice and recognized for her luscious tone, Koontz has performed leading roles with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Opera, Central City Opera and Opera on the Avalon.

Equally comfortable on the concert stage, she has performed as a soloist with the San Diego Symphony, La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, Chicago Arts Orchestra, Newfoundland Orchestra and the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. Tasha earned her master's degree in music from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied with acclaimed soprano Carol Vaness and received her bachelor's degree in music from Northwestern University.

This concert is sponsored by Ken Follis and Sharon Robinson Group of COMPASS Real Estate in Fallbrook.

The concert will take place Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. in Fallbrook's historic Mission Theater, 231 N. Main Avenue. Doors open at 1 p.m. for social hour, and the concert hall doors open at 1:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 adult until Friday, Dec. 9, at noon; $25 thereafter; children 18 and under are free with one paid adult. Seating is general admission.

Tickets can be purchased at http://fallbrookmissiontheater.com or http://fallbrookmusicsociety.org. Fallbrook Music Society is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization currently celebrating its 45th year of presenting excellence in music performances and youth music education outreach to Fallbrook and Bonsall Schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Fallbrook.

For more information, visit http://fallbrookmusicsociety.org or call 760-451-8644.

Submitted by Fallbrook Music Society.