Music Ancient and Very Ancient

According to retailers, we are now well into the holiday season. The music scene says the same thing, too. This weekend brings two opportunities to enjoy the time-honored, candlelit holiday event, lessons and carols, a blend of bible readings, traditional carols, and choral music. Hotchkiss School in Lakeville has its annual Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Hotchkiss Chapel. Early arrival is encouraged as seating is limited. The nondenominational service is led by Hotchkiss Chaplain Lou Pressman, with choral director Laurie Ellington conducting the Hotchkiss Chorus. On the same day and at the same time, Vassar College also holds a Service of Lessons and Carols in the Vassar Chapel on the college’s Poughkeepsie campus. A free-will offering will be taken to support Dutchess Outreach of Poughkeepsie. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. The lessons and carols choir is under the direction of Drew Minter and James Ruff, members of the Vassar College music department, with Susan Bialek and Ronald A. Bemrich conducting the Cappella Festiva Treble and Chamber Choirs. For something different, with a distinctly non-Western flavor, concertgoers can take in two Balinese orchestras, Gamelan Giri Mekar and Chandra Kanchana, at Bard College this Friday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. in Olin Hall. The groups are presented by Hudson Valley Gamelans and Bard College. The concert includes dance as well as music played on authentic Balinese instruments including gongs, drums and flutes. Gamelan is the ancient music of Indonesia, most closely associated with Bali and Java. It takes many different forms and styles, often individual to the group that performs it. Gamelan has inspired several Western composers such as Debussy and Satie. Tickets for the Bard concert are $10. Call 845- 688-7090 for information.