A file photo of the America Festival Chorus in concert.
LOGAN – Kurt Bestor and the Westminster Bell Choir will join the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra at their Christmas Concert this year. The concerts will take place Thursday-Saturday, December 7-9 at 7:30p.m. with a matinee performance on Saturday, December 9 at 2:00pm.
All of the concerts will be performed at the Newel and Jean Daines Concert Hall in the Utah State University’s Chase Fine Arts Center.
Composer Kurt Bestor Emmy is an award-winning and Grammy-nominated composer that has gained acclaim for his prolific and versatile scoring for film, television, and live shows, as well as numerous digital CDs.
He has composed full orchestral film scores for IMAX movies like “The Great American West” and “Sedona,” and created cutting-edge synthcompositions for television shows and video games.
Internationally, Bester wrote the popular anthem Prayer of the Children which is one of the most sung choir songs in the world. The song is currently being performed by American Idol finalist David Archuleta and the rock group Three Dog Night.
The Westminster Bell Choir, sponsored by Logan’s First Presbyterian Church, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary as an interfaith music group and currently is directed by Mary Beck.
The bell choir is often associated with their Christmas programs and worship services at First Presbyterian Church, with a focus mainly on sacred music. They play music year-round at a variety of venues with songs from Vivaldi to Led Zeppelin.
“It is a great pleasure to have Kurt Bestor and the Westminster Bells join us for Christmas from the Daines Concert Hall, featuring music that is an indelible part of our Christmas memories and traditions,” said Craig Jessop, the musical director of AWFC. “We are so grateful for their collaborations with AFCO over the years and for their tremendous friendship to our organization.”
This year’s concert will feature arrangements of traditional Christmas favorites such as “The First Nowell,” “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “Still, Still, Still,“ and the ever-popular “Sleigh Ride,” along with John Rutter’s exquisite “Candlelight Carol.”
Bestor also returns with several classic arrangements, including audience favorites, “T’was the Night Before Christmas” and “Prayer of the Children.” The closing number will feature the combined talents of Kurt Bestor, AFCO, and the Westminster Bell Choir.
Since being founded in 2008, the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra has become one of the premier professional musical organizations in the region.
Under the artistic direction of music director Dr. Craig Jessop and associate director Dr. Cory Evans, AFCO provides a culture of musical excellence that edifies, entertains, and educates performers and audiences.
Tickets cost $10 – $35, and children aged 8 and older are welcome. For more information, call 435-797-8022 or visit americanfestivalchorus.org.