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The Commonwealth Chorale of Virginia will begin a new season of rehearsals on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. at Farmville Presbyterian Church.

With the Christmas season in mind, the Chorale will present three afternoon concerts on Dec. 3, 4 p.m. at Clarksville Presbyterian Church; Dec. 9, 4 p.m. at Crewe United Methodist Church; Dec. 10, 4 p.m. at Farmville United Methodist Church.

“I am very pleased to begin working with singers on music that promises to once again bring the joy and happiness of the Christmas season to our audiences,” Chorale Artistic Director Carol J. Henderson said.

This year’s concerts combine classical repertoire with contemporary Christmas favorites.

“In December’s concerts we’ll combine the delightful simplicity of the Baroque in Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with the soaring melodic lines of a more contemporary “Magnificat’ written in 1980 by Kim Andre´ Arensen,” Henderson noted. “A light-hearted touch will be added with five Alfred Burt Carols (set 2) written as Christmas cards for friends in the 1940s and 50s. The concerts will end with a touch of ‘White Christmas’ and the quintessential audience closer: Hallelujah Chorus from ‘Messiah.’”

The Chorale will be accompanied by a small ensemble: string quartet, string bass, oboe, flute, piano, and organ.

“The Commonwealth Chorale is important to this community, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it,” she commented.

The Chorale’s membership, representing all ages and musical backgrounds, includes singers from many surrounding counties and towns.

Local singers interested in joining the Chorale are invited to attend the Sept. 12 rehearsal; auditions are not required.

For more information visit www.commonwealthchorale.org.