Wilton choir leader Mary Bozzuti- Higgins, gospel singer Adrienne Reedy, and musicians Ralph Kirmser and Nicholas Loafman will join the Diocesan Youth Choir in its annual Christmas concert, Arise and Shine, on Sunday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m., at the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport.
Higgins will direct the 75-member choir in a program of Christmas songs and chants from different ages and cultures, including Arise and Shine, Dark is the Silent Night, and Siyahamba. They will also introduce new Christmas music.
Reedy will be featured in two selections, Do You Hear What I Hear?, and Christmas Glory, Hallelujah!.
They will be accompanied by area musicians, many of whom have a connection to Wilton. Kirmser, a town resident who has played at Wilton Library, will perform on oboe. Nicholas Loafman, Wilton High School band director, will be on trumpet, Clay Zambo, former music director at Our Lady of Fatima, will be on piano; Jessica Raposo, who has also performed in Wilton Library’s Connecticut’s Own concerts, will be on flute; and Tom Foote will be on percussion.
There will also be selected readings by choir members in Vietnamese, Spanish, English, and Igbo, one of the four national languages of Nigeria.
The Diocese Youth Choir was formed in 2015 at the request of Bishop Frank J. Caggiano and in response to the recent diocesan synod, which called for engaging and inspiring youth in the faith. It includes young people from more than 35 parishes throughout Fairfield County.
Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults. They may be purchased online at theklein.org or by calling 800-4240160.