Wilmington Voices to bring holiday cheer with free Christmas concerts

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Voices are spreading holiday cheer this season with two free concerts next week, offering Cape Fear residents a chance to celebrate Christmas through choral music.

The Wilmington Voices will perform at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk on December 13 at 7:30 p.m. and at First Presbyterian Church on December 14 at 7:30 p.m. Doors for both concerts open at 6:30 p.m., and Artistic Director Angela Burns encourages attendees to arrive early since the events are non-ticketed and open to the public.

“We’ll be performing traditional carols like Silent Night or Carol of the Bells, but we might do a slight twist on those pieces,” Burns said. “And then some Renaissance music as well.”

The Wilmington Voices, founded in 2022, is the only professional choir in Wilmington. The group was established during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when live music performances were paused.

“In the midst of COVID, we had a lot of time to think because music was almost nonexistent, live music that is,” Burns said. “So I talked with some colleagues and we decided to see about the depth in Wilmington.”

The Wilmington Voices perform Silent Night.
(Photo: Wilmington Voices)

The choir has grown quickly, boasting 43 members, many of whom have degrees in music or collegiate-level singing experience. Members come from Wilmington, South Carolina, Charlotte, and even Florida to participate.

Looking ahead, the Wilmington Voices have a major project planned for 2025. They will stage the oratorio Considering Matthew Shepard in May, a performance that will require tickets for the first time due to the scale of the production, which includes an orchestra  and a 26-member vocal ensemble.

For those interested in joining the Wilmington Voices, Burns says the group welcomes new talent. Interested singers can visit their website for more information.