The Anoka-Ramsey Community College choir is currently practicing for several, free upcoming performances: Thursday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Campus Performing Arts Center and Sunday, Dec. 2, at the 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. worship services at Faith Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids.

The Concert Choir is focusing their 50 voices in performances themed, "Viva Vivaldi!” The featured piece is “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi, which the choir will perform with professional orchestra and soloists. This piece is considered by many to be a “top 40” classical choral work, especially in consideration of the holiday season.

“The piece starts with the song of the Christmas angels, ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth’, and brings singers, instrumentalists and audience on a delightful tour of different musical styles, tempos, and moods,” College music faculty member and conductor, Melissa Bergstrom says of “Gloria.”

The Chamber Singers, an auditioned ensemble of 16 voices, will perform madrigals and motets from Renaissance Italy.

“Opening the concert with the wide variety of intimate secular pieces - mostly about love and passion - from several decades prior to Vivaldi’s life, provides an entertaining and educational context for the masterwork of the second half,” Bergstrom adds about the Chamber Singers’ performance.

The public is encouraged to attend one or more of these free concerts to kick-off the holiday season.

For more information about the concert, including directions to the college or the college’s music programs, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu or call 763.433.1100. For more information about Coon Rapids Campus choir, contact Melissa Bergstrom at 763.433.1328.