Written by Mary Dan Eades on December 13, 2018

Montecito Miscellany
by Richard Mineards

Montecito Journal
13-20 December, 2018 Issue

Hallelujah, Christmas is Here

Veteran music director Jo Anne Wasserman was clearly in her element when the Santa Barbara Choral Society staged its sixth annual Hallelujah Project at the Lobero.

The concert, which of course included Handel’s uplifting Hallelujah Chorus, was a glorious Yuletide miscellany of seasonal cheer featuring the Goleta Valley Junior High Chorus, with Sound of Music actress Angela Cartwright narrating “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

The two-hour show also featured Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols with baritone soloist Tyler Reece and Randol Alan Bass’ arrangement of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

A beautiful evening, particularly given one of last year’s performances had to be cancelled because of the Thomas Fire.

Jo Anne Wasserman conducting the Hallelujah Project at the Lobero (photo by Priscilla)
An early visit from Santa also listening to “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” narrated by Angela Cartwright to Bettina Lando, Kaia Lando, and Marilyn Mazess (photo by Priscilla)
Gathered at the post reception are Jeff Warlick, Karen Williams, Debra Stewart, Todd Aldrich, and Claudia Scott (photo by Priscilla)
Guest of Honor Angela Cartwright with Jo Anne Wasserman, Choral Society Conductor and Artisitc Director (photo by Priscilla)
Baritone Soloist Tyler Reece and Santa Barbara Choral Society and Orchestra receiving a standing ovation for their performance “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” (photo by Priscilla)