The eighth annual “Christmas at the Cathedral” concerts to benefit St. Joseph Cathedral are drawing closer as organizers put the finishing touches on preparations and this year’s theme.
This year, the theme of the concerts is “The Sound of Peace.”
The concerts always carry a new and different theme centered on the wonder of Christmas.
“Each year, “Christmas at the Cathedral” is a unique production with its own theme,” said Mark Conzemius, of the Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota and one of the concert coordinators.
The “Christmas at the Cathedral” concerts this year will feature four performances at St. Joseph Cathedral, up from three in the past and for the second year, a Sunday performance will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Hoven.
The concert performances this year will be December 16-18 with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
The Hoven performance will be held Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m.
The concert proceeds from the Sioux Falls performances go toward the endowment set up to maintain and preserve St. Joseph Cathedral while the proceeds from the Hoven performance go toward preservation of that church.
“This year, the theme was inspired by experiences in the community involving the growing number of people of diverse cultures who are new to the region,” said Conzemius.
The development of each year’s theme is just the start. From that idea, concert organizers then work with Henry Charles Smith, conductor emeritus of the South Dakota Symphony Chamber Orchestra which performs each year to develop music that fits the theme.
This year, Henry Charles Smith has arranged most of the music that will be performed during the concerts.
“When an idea is sparked, we literally pray with it,” said Conzemius. This time, the changing face of the diocesan community helped bring focus to the theme. That and the spirit of Christmas helped the concerts come together.
“Of all the things that go on in the Christian world, no matter what language you speak, no matter what types of clothes you wear, no matter what style of music you sing or listen to, Jesus’ birth is celebrated around the world in every country and this would be an opportunity for us, with Christmas at the Cathedral, to recognize that Jesus is born a savior to all,” Conzemius said.
The concerts will again feature the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and the Light Springs Singers.
There will also be children from around the world and soloist Susan Almjeld from Mitchell performing as part of the concerts.
Concert organizers have already sold hundreds of tickets as patrons and concertgoers try to make sure they get their seats before the event sells out.
The previous sellouts led organizers to add the Thursday night performance this year.
Tickets are available on line at www.sfcatholic.org, at the Catholic Pastoral Center and at Hy-Vee stores in Sioux Falls.
You can also obtain tickets by calling the Catholic Foundation at 605-988-3788 or toll-free at 1-888-246-3386
Tickets are the same price they were last year.
In Hoven, they are available at St. Anthony Church.