If you’re seeking some peace and stillness set to music during the hectic holiday season, then Wintersong is for you. The annual performance by the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble (CVAE) is an antidote to the incessant holiday earworms. Think less (really, no) Rudolph or jingle bells; more silent night and midnight clear. Held at Shove Memorial Chapel at Colorado College, the candlelit concert captures the spirit of the solstice, inviting audiences into the quiet beauty of the winter season with a program that explores themes of mystery, light, darkness and renewal.
“Wintersong offers a moment of stillness at a time when people often feel rushed or overwhelmed,” says Artistic Director Deborah Jenkins Teske. “In the chapel’s warm, old-world setting, the blend of poetry and music creates space for audiences to pause, reflect and experience the season with fresh attention.”
This year’s Wintersong will blend its program of choral music and spoken word on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It’s free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $10 per person.
Since 2001, Wintersong has become one of CVAE’s most cherished annual traditions. Each performance features a curated sequence of readings and choral works chosen to illuminate the contrasts of the season — the interplay of shadow and light, the austerity and beauty of the natural world and the quiet resonance of winter.
The Romanesque architecture and historical acoustics of Shove Chapel adds to the effect. “It has a lot of built-in mystery to it — the overall darkness of the chapel and the hidden corners,” Teske says.
Candlelight and voices coming from different parts of the chapel throughout the performance make an evocative impression. And Shove’s pipe organ is known to add a powerful flair at times. There is definitely a distinctive atmosphere that contributes to the contemplative character of Wintersong.
The CVAE was founded in 1992, and it has become a premier chamber vocal ensemble. This year’s performance schedule features five concerts, with two more following Wintersong in February and April, respectively.
Whether choral music is your usual go-to or not, Wintersong is a unique tradition to renew some wonder of the season.
Seating is limited, and the CVAE recommends early arrival. You can find more details at cvae.org.
