The Cecilia Chamber Singers will be featured performers at the annual Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols at Christ Episcopal Church in Austin on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.

The Rev. Scott Monson, rector of the parish, is overjoyed.

“It is a real pleasure to host such a talented music group here in Austin,” Monson said.  “One rarely gets to hear musicians of this caliber outside the Twin Cities — and for free!”

The Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols has become an annual tradition for many in the Austin area.  The festival blends the biblical account of Christ’s birth with traditional and modern choral music and hymns.

Cecilia Chamber Singers are beginning their fifth year together.

A select women’s group of eight voices specializing in sacred music, Cecilia Chamber Singers perform in many venues throughout Minneapolis and the surrounding area.  They have recorded one CD, “O Sacred Banquet.”

The Cecilia Chamber Singers repertoire includes music from all eras. The group specifically enjoys bringing new works of younger composers into their concerts. With sacred music as their focus, they have an ecumenical appeal and have sung for many different types of services, including Lutheran Compline, Anglican Evensong and Catholic Mass.

Cecilia Chamber Singers will be traveling to Austria in June to participate in the Salzburg Music Festival, as well as additional concerts in Vienna and surrounding areas.

The group is directed by Shelly Aebi of Brooklyn Center, Minn. Aebi holds a master’s degree in conducting and also directs at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minn.

The group is accompanied by Christopher Wallace on both the piano and organ. Wallace holds a doctorate in piano performance and serves as organist and music director at Our Lady of Grace Church in Edina. He is also the owner and president of Allen Organs of the Twin Cities, Inc., a Midwest representative for the Allen Organ company, which specializes in the sales and installation of digital classical church, theater and pipe/digital combination instruments.

The Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols is free and open to the public.  Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Salvation Army food shelf.  Cash donations for the food shelf will also be accepted.