Christmas Cantata is a 100-minute-long oratorio—a fusion of choral pop, R&B gospel, jazz, and lounge music, with hints of plainsong, Renaissance opera, and Bollywood—all in the great tradition of Western oratorio. It’s great for schools, churches, and choral groups, any time from Advent to Candlemas. It sings the story of the birth of Jesus, from the eternal pre-existence of the Logos, through the annunciation, the incarnation, the shepherds and magi, the presentation in the temple, the slaughter of the innocents, the proclamation of the gospel, to the coming messianic kingdom. It’s all about voices: choruses, solos, duets, trios, quartets, octets, recitatives. You need a chorus who will stick to the notes, and soprano and baritone soloists, who can be a bit freer in their delivery. The singers are backed by a continuo trio of piano, bass, and drums. You can do a great performance with just these instruments, and a flute or trumpet. No musicians? No problem! You’ll love the Backing Tracks! But, if you want to go to town, there are Parts for Orchestra too!