Hundreds of voices to blend at UAB’s Christmas at the Alys choral performance

The UAB Department of Music will celebrate the holidays by presenting its annual Christmas at the Alys choral performance in the Jemison Concert Hall at the Alys Stephens Center on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.

The concert is led by the UAB Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, conducted by Brian Kittredge, and the UAB Trumpet Ensemble, led by conductor James Zingara.

But what makes the concert special is that UAB musicians are joined by hundreds of singers from other Birmingham-area choirs, according to Kittredge, who is director of choral activities in the Department of Music.

“There are approximately 500 singers, conductors, staff and participants in the event,” Kittredge said. “This does not include the hundreds of audience members.”

Taking part this year will be the Steel City Men's Chorus, the John Carroll Catholic Singers and Mixed Ensemble, the Thompson High School Madrigals and the choirs from Calera High School, Hueytown High School, Hoover High School, Gardendale High School, Oak Mountain High School and Helena High School.

“We’re expanding our number of performing groups this year in order to reach as many communities in the Birmingham area as possible,” Kittredge said.

The choirs from Hoover and Oak Mountain high schools are new to the program this year.

The concert’s repertoire is chosen by the choral directors and is mostly holiday-themed, with lots of traditional carols and popular holiday songs, according to Kittredge.

And there are also some annual favorites.

“There’s a tradition of opening the program with everyone singing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and closing with ‘Joy to the World,’” Kittredge said. “This is sung by all participating choirs and audience, accompanied by the UAB Trumpet ensemble and piano. The combined choirs also sing ‘Carol of the Bells.’”

A lot of work goes into putting on such a large event, according to Kittredge. “Each participating choir rehearses separately for weeks on their own,” he said. 

As director, Kittredge said he collects the repertoire choices from each group, coordinates the program and arranges for staging and lighting.

But all the work is worth it when the hundreds of voices come together, according to Kittredge.

“It’s thrilling to hear everyone sing the opening and closing songs together,” Kittredge said.

Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students. Call 975-2787 or go to alysstephens.org.