PORTLAND – The Friends of the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ will present its annual “Christmas with Cornils” concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, in Merrill Auditorium.
For the first time in the 14 years of these “Christmas with Cornils” concerts, tickets will be sold in advance.
The popularity and standing-room-only crowds of past concerts caused the city of Portland to request that Friends of the Kotzschmar make this annual concert a ticketed performance.
The group is “committed to presenting concerts that are open to all regardless of ability to pay.
Therefore, in the spirit of this time-honored tradition, we are reserving a block of tickets that will not be available for sale. On the evening of the performance, they, along with any seats throughout the auditorium that remain unsold, will be given out on our traditional ‘admission by donation’ basis,” said Cornils, who is Portland’s municipal organist.
Cornils will present a variety of holiday works including selections from Handel’s “Messiah,” selections from Bach’s “Magnificat,” many favorite Christmas carols and some unusual holiday favorites. Joining Cornils will be the Parish Ringers, a handbell choir from the First Parish Church in Brunswick, and the Kotzschmar Festival Brass, made up of members of the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
Baritone soloist David Cushing will make an appearance as well. Cushing, one of New England’s most promising new opera singers, has performed in Portland on numerous occasions. He’s a member of the Boston University opera program. The concert will conclude with the popular holiday singalong.
For more information regarding this event, people can call (207) 883-9525 or visit www.foko.org.
Tickets are available through PortTix, (207) 842-0800. Tickets range from $10 to 20 for reserved seats. Approximately 250 seats will remain available for walk-in admission on the evening of the concert. The suggested donation for those seats will be $15.00.
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