Christmas at the Chapel

What would Christmas time be without its beloved music to tug at your heartstrings? VOICES of Fort Worth invites you to take a break from the busyness of the holidays to remember the real reason for the season. Treat yourself to an evening of new versions of familiar carols, as well as lesser known (though hauntingly beautiful) seasonal arrangements. One week before Christmas, this outstanding a cappella chamber choir will present their two annual holiday concerts. Christmas at Arborlawn will be held in the commanding auditorium space of Arborlawn United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7 pm, while Christmas at the Chapel will take place in the architecturally inspiring setting of the Marty Leonard Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 pm. Due to an increasing demand for tickets each year, the intimate Marty Leonard concert space usually sells out well before the day of the performance.

Each concert will consist of 15 pieces, including tried and true Christmas favorites as well as challenging modern compositions that only groups of this caliber can perform. This year’s concerts include a contemporary version of the holiday classic O Tannenbaum arranged by famed UK a cappella group VOCES8’s Arranger in Residence, Jim Clements. It will also feature the ethereal A Hymn to the Mother of God, which requires singers to split into 16 voice parts, often resulting in harmonies with only one member per part. Dr. Bierschenk works tirelessly with his singers to achieve a pure Renaissance tonal quality, prompting audience members to describe VOICES’ sound as “heavenly,” “stunningly beautiful” and “absolutely breathtaking.” In addition to the acoustic excellence, venues are chosen carefully to enhance the overall experience for concert goers, serving up a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. Past performance spaces have included the soaring atrium of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the starkly modern Renzo Piano Pavilion of the Kimbell Art Museum, and the charming sanctuary of the historic Church of Christ the King.

Founded by the chair of the Texas Wesleyan University Music Department, Jerome Bierschenk, this unique group of singers celebrated its fifth anniversary in September. Since its 2012 debut, VOICES has grown from a group of 14 Texas Wesleyan students and alumni to a 25-voice ensemble that attracts talent from all over the Metroplex. One of Dr. Bierschenk’s goals for the group is to grow it to recognition not only in the DFW area but throughout the state of Texas. As the only ensemble of its kind in Fort Worth, and with a mission “to preserve and promote the art of a cappella singing through the performance of quality choral music,” the young chamber choir has already started collecting awards. In 2016 VOICES had the honor of being the only community chorus chosen to perform at the Southwestern American Choir Directors Association Conference in Kansas City, and in 2017 the ensemble was named as a semi-finalist in the American Prize for Choral Performance competition.

Artistic Director Dr. Bierschenk originally formed the group at the request of a student who sought to challenge himself through singing with a select group of musicians. Today, spots in the coveted ensemble are by audition only, and Dr. Bierschenk looks for extensive singing experience and excellent sight-reading abilities in prospective members, as singers are expected to read their voice parts without the aid of an accompanist even during rehearsals. Most members of the elite singing group studied music in college, and many are employed professionally as directors of music at churches and schools in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Members of VOICES have formerly sung with other ensembles in venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Today Show, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Van Cliburn’s home, and alongside Willie Nelson at the Bass Performance Hall.

Appointed Chair of the Department of Music in 2014, Dr. Bierschenk began his tenure at Texas Wesleyan University in 2007 as Director of Choral Activities. Formerly the Artistic Director of The Texas Boys Choir and Fine Arts Director for the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, Dr. Bierschenk started out as an instrumentalist, serving as a band director in the Austin, Birdville and Weatherford school districts for 20 years. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting degree from the University of North Texas in 2003. An exceptionally talented musician, Dr. Bierschenk’s choir members know him for his high standards of excellence and his ability to bring out their best.

Tickets for this year’s VOICES Christmas concerts are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (65+), and $5 for students with ID. They are available online at www.voicesoffortworth.comand at the door (cash or credit card). Concerts last approximately 90 minutes and include an intermission. For more information, call 817-713-4536.

In addition to these two Christmas performances, audiences will have only two more chances in the spring to catch VOICES in concert for the 2017-18 season. Visit their website and like “Voices” on Facebook to keep up to date on information regarding upcoming shows.

Official Site Facebook