A Cappella Christmas Cantata (excerpts) - Shenandoah Christian Music Camp

Four excerpts from 'A Cappella Christmas Cantata’, composed by Larry Nickel. Sung at the 11th Annual Choral Festival 2016 of Shenandoah Christian Music Camp (VA). Conducted by Brandon Mullet. About A Cappella Christmas Cantata: The commissioning of the A Cappella Christmas Cantata grew out of Larry’s longtime desire to write a Christmas cantata that was not simply another sentimental re-run of the Christmas story. Through Larry’s generosity and the help of friends, Faith Builders Educational Programs was able to commission the cantata and offer the first performance in Guys Mills, PA, in December 2015. The miraculous story of Jesus, God come in the flesh, draws us into its mystery every year at Christmas, and we never tire of singing its themes and telling its wonder, always attempting to peer more deeply into its meaning and significance. To convey these themes in the cantata, Larry drew on scripture and the poetry of two pastor-poets from the 17th century: Johann Rist of Germany and George Herbert of England. Dr. Larry Nickel is an active musician: singing, directing, and writing choral music. Larry was a music teacher for 25 years. He co-founded the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir in 1990. This choir recorded 13 CDs, including 120 of Larry’s compositions. He also owns Canada’s #1 choral music publishing company–Cypress Choral Music–and works together with over 100 composers across the country.