Kentucky Christmas Chorus Takes A Break

LEXINGTON, Ky. - For the first time in 24 years, Lexington’s annual Christmas Chorus will be going dark. Concert organizers are citing declining attendance as one reason for the cancelation.

The Kentucky Christmas Chorus featuring the Lexington Philharmonic and the Lexington Singers once attracted thousands to Rupp Arena, but in recent years, the audience has dwindled. In 2010, the concert was moved from Rupp Arena to the Singletary Center for the Arts. Renee Jackson is a spokesperson for the Downtown Lexington Corporation, which has taken over several community events under Mayor Jim Gray, including the Christmas Chorus.

"We never said this is was just gone. It was always that it was taking a break. So we wanted to see if people really did miss it and see what came from the other art groups that are in town. It was certainly a decision that was made lightly," Jackson says.

The Chorus was replaced with several smaller events held on a single day in November. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the first Christmas Chorus drew 3500 singers from 100 church choirs and school groups.  

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Credit famucon.com

Members of SCAPA perform with the Lexington Philharmonic during the Kentucky Christmas Chorus in 2010