Voices of Note opens season with separate holiday concerts

Voices of Note will kick off its 2026–27 season in December with distinct holiday shows from the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and Atlanta Women’s Chorus. The two concerts give Atlanta audiences separate programs, venues and artistic styles as the organization runs through June 2027.

Why it matters: - Voices of Note is opening its new season with two separate holiday concerts instead of one shared program. - The approach lets the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and Atlanta Women’s Chorus keep distinct artistic identities while still serving the same Atlanta audience. - The holiday performances are the first events in a season that runs through June 2027.

What happened: - Voices of Note said the 2026–27 season will begin in December with holiday performances from the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus. - The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus will stage its 46th Annual Holiday Concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Cathedral of St. Philip. - The Atlanta Women’s Chorus will present “Peace and Joy” at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church.

The details: - AGMC will perform with a chamber orchestra. - Its program includes “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Holy Night,” “Baba Yetu,” “There Will Be Rest” and “Do a Little Good” from “Spirited.” - The AGMC concert will also feature a new medley of songs from Rankin/Bass animated holiday films. - Donald Milton III, artistic director of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, said the show includes new arrangements, emotional moments and surprises such as costumes or puppets. - Milton said more than 150 voices will perform over orchestral arrangements. - AWC’s “Peace and Joy” will mix holiday classics, choral gems and lighter selections. - The Atlanta Women’s Chorus program includes four-hand piano pieces, an audience singalong and a winter solstice celebration. - The set list includes Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s “The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth,” Dan Forrest’s “Shalom,” “Trepak” from “The Nutcracker” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” in the style of Elvis Presley. - Dr. Melissa Arasi, artistic director of the Atlanta Women’s Chorus, said the concert is meant to reflect the warmth, beauty and personality of AWC. - Voices of Note said the season will also include larger chorus performances, intimate ensemble programs and concerts centered on history, renewal, transformation and popular music. - Tickets and performance details are available at Voices of Note.

Between the lines: - The split holiday programming signals an effort to showcase each chorus as its own brand, not just as part of one organizational umbrella. - The concert themes lean into both tradition and contrast, with AGMC emphasizing scale and orchestral richness and AWC emphasizing intimacy, community and seasonal reflection. - David Aurilio, executive director of Voices of Note, said the individuality of each chorus helps audiences experience what makes each ensemble unique while still celebrating a shared season.

What's next: - Voices of Note’s holiday concerts are the launch point for a season that continues through June 2027. - The organization says audiences can expect a mix of large-ensemble concerts and smaller programs across the year. - More information on tickets and event details is available at Voices of Note.