Carol Sing

One of Medfield’s most beloved holiday traditions is the annual Carol Sing at the United Church of Christ, 496 Main Street, taking place once again on Friday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m.  Immediately following the tree-lighting ceremony at Baxter Park, revelers heading down Main Street to the Midnight Madness event will be enticed by the sounds of a brass quintet playing Christmas music in the church lobby.  Once inside, listeners will enjoy the UCC Sanctuary Choir singing the season’s finest choral music, including the first local performance of Robert Lehman’s “Carol of the Stable,” composed earlier this year, and a chorus from George Frederick Handel’s beloved oratorio, “Messiah.”  The UCC Medfield’s handbell choir, the Chapel Bell Ensemble, will ring an arrangement of the highly rhythmic French carol, “Pat-a-Pan,” as well as a unique “change ring” on the ancient Christmas plainsong “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”  This year will also feature children’s voices as the UCC Treble Choir and special guests from the Blackstone Valley Catholic Youth Choir present some of the pieces they are preparing for the 2013 Choristers Guild Festival.  Of course, the best part of all is when everyone in the room bursts into the robust singing of traditional carols like “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” accompanied by brass, choir, and magnificent organ playing by one of New England’s most celebrated organists, Frederick A. MacArthur.  The entire evening is free of charge, family friendly, and lasts about 45 minutes.  Brass preludes begin at 7:15, so please come early, and bring your friends!  Don’t miss it!