Concordiae: Singers of Ecclesiastical Music, a premiere chamber choral ensemble, performs a twelfth night celebration concert at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m.

Conducted by Arlen Clarke, Concordiae performs beautiful and inspiring sacred a cappella music, creating a sea of harmony that reflects the highest levels of the choral art. Singing music from the oldest chants of the Christian tradition to choral works of the modern day, Concordiae seeks to embrace the listener with a sanctuary of sound that uplifts the spirit and soothes the senses.

Twelfth Night is a festival in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany and concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Traditionally, it is the evening of Jan. 5, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking.

A recent belief in some English-speaking countries holds that it is unlucky to leave Christmas decorations hanging after Twelfth Night, a belief originally attached to the festival of Candlemas, which celebrates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Feb. 2).

On a more secular note, the Elizabethan Twelfth Night tradition reflected in the entertaining and unruly play by Shakespeare allows for a bit more licensed disorder. Concordiae however, brings a slightly more sacred approach to Twelfth Night by singing, among others, music of the Christmas season.

Based in Greenville, S.C., Concordiae’s membership ranges from 10 to 16 singers.

Most of the musicians are singers by avocation whose love of singing is surpassed only by their joy of post-rehearsal social gatherings.

– article submitted by Susie Mahnke