The Christmas Cantata has been a tradition at St. Joseph’s for over 20 years, and it has become an anticipated community Christmas tradition too. It is one night only, and admission is free.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA 2025

Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM: This year, St. Joseph’s Choir will perform the Christmas Cantata at St. John’s Episcopal Church. St. John’s graciously offered the space to allow more attendance. Please join us for desserts and coffee in the St. John’s parish all following the cantata.

St. Joseph’s Choir is looking for sponsors and patrons to support the Christmas Cantara. Funds raised offset the expenses for music licensing, outside musicians, and printing of the programs.

Sponsorship Information

Make a one-time donation to the Christmas Cantata.

HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH’S CANTATA

Under the direction of Sharon Smith McNair, the Cantata Choir averages 35 choristers each year. Many of the choristers come from community churches to join St. Joseph’s Choir to make this an event to remember. The Cantata Choir rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday night starting in September until production in December.

The Christmas Cantata includes traditional Christmas favorites along with hymns and newly composed pieces. Mrs. McNair always weaves in the audience’s favorites, the Temptation’s version of Silent Night and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah. For many years, a rhythm combo accompanied the singers, but Mrs. McNair added an orchestra in 2023.

The Christmas Cantata is always performed on the Sunday before Christmas at 4:00 PM. There is only one performance. Starting in 2025, the Christmas Cantata will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church as attendance has outgrown our church.

WHAT IS A CANTATA?

The term “cantata,” invented in Italy in the 17th century, refers to music written for voice and instruments. It applies broadly to works for solo voice, multiple soloists, or vocal ensemble, with instrumental accompaniment.

Parts of the Cantata

• Aria: A movement for a solo voice (or duet or trio) and instrumental accompaniment.

• Recitative: A sung movement meant to resemble speech. Recitatives were more narrative or dramatic than arias, focusing on explaining or preaching a concept to the congregation.

• Chorale: A hymn intended to be sung by the entire congregation. These tunes and texts were very familiar to Bach’s congregation in Leipzig. A familiar phrase could automatically recall the rest of the content and add a layer of meaning to the music.