Christmas Cantata at Mahanaim Auditorium
An early Christmas present for the citizens of Huntington: The pure joy of beautiful holiday music

Christmas Season started early in Huntington this year with the Gracias Choir bringing their annual Christmas Cantata to Mahanaim Auditorium. October 18 th, 2008 marked the first time that this spectacular music event has been performed in America. Prior to this landmark performance, Gracias Choir had conducted its Cantata in numerous countries including Korea, Australia, and Africa, but was never given the opportunity to take stage in America. That is until this past October. With four amazing stage pieces, including a life-size manger set, a Christmas set, and a glorious finale with full choir and orchestra, Gracias Choir dazzled the audience into delight, many being newcomers to the much talked about music concerts of Mahanaim.

Preparations for the Christmas Cantata began weeks in advance, and, needless to say, the process was a difficult one. Although the program, guest conductor, famed artist, Boris Abalyan, and the performers were ready, logistically, the production was a challenge to organize.

“I was first invited by seeing this invitation on my front lawn,” said one audience member after the concert. “It was just sitting there one day so I opened it and said, ‘Hey, free concert? Great!’ I brought few friends tonight and might I say! What skill these kids have! I was completely blown away by all the effort to reach out to me, not to mention, the performances themselves.”

Mahanaim has been continually reaching out to Huntington and all its neighboring communities through music, in an effort to build upon the already rich cultural appreciation the town has towards classical and modern music. With its new educational programs, under the name Gracias Music at Mahanaim, which is now open for enrollment, Mahanaim hopes that these concerts provide a glimpse into the level of music education it plans to offer come February 2009.

The music programs span a variety of performance areas including voice, stringed instrument, choral conducting, and piano. Although in its early stages as a school, Mahanaim boasts a professional, world-renowned lineup of artists that have shown a vested interest in the growth of the school, already offering their services as instructors and curriculum developers for the music programs.

The Christmas Cantata showcased not only the talent of the Gracias Choir, the skill and elegance of Mahanaim’s music artists, and the level of music education to come, but a genuine gesture by the school in the ongoing effort to develop a lasting relationship with the community.

The Christmas Cantata series will continue in Korea beginning in mid-December. For more information about Gracias Choir and the Christmas Cantata, visit
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