Tidings of com-four-t and joy

You’ll have plenty of chances to enjoy the stirring choral harmonies of Coastal Voices when the chorus presents “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” in four performances this weekend and next.

The group will perform at the Newport Performing Arts Center this Saturday, Dec. 6; at Chapel-By-The-Sea in Lincoln City this Sunday, Dec. 7; at the Depoe Bay Community Hall on Saturday, Dec. 13; and at Yachats Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Dec. 14.

The holiday concert series showcases global traditions and songs, offering an uplifting musical journey across cultures and continents.

Part One honors winter holidays including Kwanzaa, Chanukkah and the solstice with selections sung in Swahili and English. The opening number, “Kuimba” encourages listeners to sing with joyful hearts while “Changamano” calls communities to join together in unity. A swing-infused big band take on the winter favorite “Sleigh Ride” adds a jazzy spark to the celebration.

After intermission, guests are invited to raise their voices in a lively singalong before Part Two journeys through Christmas carols and choral works from around the world. The ensemble performs stirring selections from Europe, Africa and the Americas in their original languages, with the chamber group SoundWaves featured in several pieces.

Adding to the merriment, guests can enter a raffle for song-themed gift baskets available before the concert and during intermission. Seniors aged 55 and older receive a $5 discount and kids younger than 17 get in free, making it a perfect opportunity for families to share the magic of live choral music.

All “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” concerts begin at 3 pm. Tickets are $25 for the Newport Performing Arts Center performance and $20 for all other concerts. For full details on concert times, tickets and venues, go to coastal-voices.org.