"Behold, a new joy! Behold, a new wonder!" So begins the English translation of Ola Gjeilo's Ecce Novum. This hauntingly beautiful piece is just one of several that the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale is preparing to sing in our upcoming Christmas concerts. This work for chorus, piano, and strings shimmers with the wide-eyed wonder of the Incarnation that is Christmas. And it's just one of many other pieces you'll hear. Here are just a few more to whet your appetite:

O Little Town of Bethlehem is set by Dan Forrest and features the choir, piano, strings, and—of all things—a soprano saxophone!

Rejoice and Sing! by John Rutter. You'll need to be able to count to seven, as it's I Saw Three Ships in 7/8 time!

Sussex Carol in a setting by Elaine Hagenberg. Elaine is a young composer who is writing some absolutely beautiful music! We'll also sing her setting of All Praise to Thee, with text from Martin Luther.

O Come All Ye Faithful will be a rollicking setting by Jacob Narverud of the Pentatonix version of this favorite Christmas music.

Sound like Christmas? So . . . mark your calendar for Friday, November 30 at 7:30 PM or Saturday, December 1 at 3:00 PM at College Church, corner of Washington and Seminary in Wheaton.*