British born, now a permanent U.S. resident, British Academy Award-winning composer, conductor and recording producer Donald Fraser has composed scores for over thirty documentaries, several feature films and TV series as well as more than 120 commercials, many radio dramas and music for the concert hall. Fraser's music has been heard at many of the world's major festivals including Edinburgh, Istanbul, Perth (Australia), Hong Kong as well as on theatrical tours to the United States, China, Japan and many European countries. His music has been widely performed and recorded by artists and ensembles such as Jessye Norman, Lea Salonga, Matthew Oltman, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Choirs of St. Olaf’s College, the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, the Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral and more than a thousand church and community choirs around the world.

This Christmastide, also known as Jessye’s Carol, is the quintessential holiday piece, made famously popular by world-renowned opera singer Jessye Norman. Fraser composed this piece for Jessye, where she performed it at Ely Cathedral in England on a live Christmas television concert fundraiser in 1987. Since then, it has become a classic Christmas piece presented by choirs across the world. Its simple yet comforting lyrics and lilting movement reflect the love and hope that is associated with the holiday season.

Green and silver, red and gold,
and a story born of old.
Truth and love and hope abide 
this Christmastide, this Christmastide.

Holly, ivy, mistletoe, 
and the gently falling snow.
Truth and love and hope abide 
this Christmastide, this Christmastide.

From a simple ox's stall 
came the greatest gift of all.
Truth and love and hope abide 
this Christmastide, this Christmastide.

Children sing of peace and joy 
at the birth of one small boy.
Truth and love and hope abide 
this Christmastide, this Christmastide.

Let the bells ring loud and clear, ring out now for all to hear.
Truth and love and hope abide 
this Christmastide, this Christmastide.

Trumpets sound and voices raise 
in an endless stream of praise.
Truth and love and hope abide 
this Christmastide, this Christmastide.

Green and silver, red and gold, 
and a story born of old
Peace and love and hope abide 
this Christmastide, this Christmastide.

Program notes by Matt Niess, Matt Oltman, Vince Peterson, Dina Spyropoulos, Noah Wagar and Drew Young.