A Yuletide Potpourri

The 55-member Ojai Community Chorus will perform a Yuletide concert of classical and contemporary music on Friday and Saturday at the Ojai Presbyterian Church.

“The first part of the evening offers classical pieces, while the second features more contemporary music and carols,” chorus director Phil Harvey said. “It’s a nice potpourri.”

The chorus will present a program that includes Bach’s “To Us a Child is Given” (Cantata No. 142) and Vivaldi’s “Magnificat.” Featured will be an ensemble of musicians from the Ventura Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, accompanying on strings, woodwinds and harpsichord.

For the second half of the concert, the chorus will perform a variety of carols including John Rutter’s “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” and “Candlelight Carol.” A concert arrangement of Mozart’s “Sing a Song of Merry Christmas,” Benjamin Britten’s “Wolcum Yole” and William L. Dawson’s “Mary Had a Baby” will round out the program.

Chorus members will offer holiday baked goods during a reception after each concert. The church is at Foothill Road and Aliso Street, Ojai, and performances begin at 8 p.m. Donations are requested: $10; senior citizens and students $7. Child care will be provided. Call 646-1437.