Darci Bultema, soprano and Lori Sens, mezzo soprano will present music from Catalonia, Argentina, Columbia and Brazil as well as Sephardic Songs from as long ago as the 14th century.  

A captivating and compelling performer, soprano Darci Bultema has performed on the operatic stage in a variety of roles, such as La Contessa in Le nozze di Figaro, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Cleopatra in Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Clorinda in La Cenerentola, The Female Chorus in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, and Lavinia in Bononcini’s Camilla.   Originally from North Dakota, Bultema has brought her talent and versatility to opera companies across the United States via Florida Grand Opera, Tulsa Opera, Washington Opera, Baltimore Opera, Natchez Opera, Sounds of South Dakota, Peabody Opera, and the Fargo Moorhead Opera.

Lori is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studies with Martha Randall. Her dissertation project, Sephardic Art Song:  A Musical Legacy of the Sephardic Disapora, explores the Sephardic Art Song repertoire from the Western classical perspective. Over the past year, she has introduced this repertoire to audiences through solo recitals, in addition to her lectures on the history, language, and culture of the Sephardim, and elements and stylistic features of Sephardic music. Recently, she presented her research at the 14th Barcelona Festival of Song in Barcelona, Spain.

The Christmas Portion of Handel's Glorious work, Messiah will be performed by First Presbyterian's very own Chancel Choir accompanied by local musicians and glorious solos sung by members of the Chancel Choir.   Come be a part of this most wonderful time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  

Bobby Jo Valentine is a nationally touring singer/songwriter who grew up on the seaside of Northern California. His songs are both earthbound and mystical, and speak of the gentle, everyday spiritual awakenings of an openhearted life. He has played the Wild Goose Festival, the Emerge Conference, and is often invited to speak and sing in places where the sacred is found in creation and creativity. He has been awarded Song of the Year three times at the West Coast Songwriter’s Association, and has earned a growing following of listeners and supporters with music and storytelling that is compelling and poetic. His most recent collections, “Fox Eyes, Whale Heart” and “Maybe Stars,” are available everywhere music is offered online.

 "The lyric and gentle, walking music of Bobby Jo is like a soothing conversation with your very best friend.  The depth of his "tell it like it is" message is a musical massage, music therapy for the soul.  So I'm clergy, desperate for a sermon in a song.  But don't miss this spiritually buoyant man who will charm you with his genuine, heart-warming way in the world." - 

Rev. Louise R. Ott

Congregational Church of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, MI