The St. Charles Singers will present a signature mix of Christmas favorites and stylish, lesser-known seasonal songs, including a world premiere, at its December 2021 Candlelight Carols concerts in St. Charles and Chicago, continuing a Yuletide tradition that began with the choir’s founding in 1984.

Hailed by American Record Guide as “a national treasure,” the St. Charles Singers will perform 18 seasonal songs, including five that are new to the choir’s repertoire

The mixed-voice chamber choir of professional and professionally trained singers will present Candlelight Carols at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 3, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles, Illinois; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 4, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago; and 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 5, at Baker Church, St. Charles.

Among songs to be heard for the first time at a St. Charles Singers concert is a new work by multifaceted musician Scott Stevenson of Downers Grove, Illinois, commissioned by the St. Charles Singers. Receiving its world premiere will be Stevenson’s “Whose woods are these,” a musical setting of Robert Frost poetry.

Choirmaster Jeffrey Hunt says, “The piece is unusual in that it uses a whirly tube and harness bells to illuminate the ethereal and stark colors of the work.”

Other works on the Candlelight Carols program are Boris Ord’s setting of “Adam lay ybounden,” Jan Sandström’s arrangement of Michael Praetorius’s melody for “Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,” Javier Busto’s setting of “Ave Maria,” Shawn Kirchner’s arrangement of Glenn McClure and Wes Kennison’s “One Sweet Little Baby,” Alice Parker and Robert Shaw’s arrangement of “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella,” Robert A. Boyd’s arrangement of David Willcocks’ “Silent Night,” and Christopher Robinson’s setting of “Rejoice and be merry.”

Also: Carolyn Jennings’ arrangement of “Ding Dong! Merrily on High,” Robert Pearsall’s arrangement of “In dulci jubilo,” Paul Manz’s “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,” R.R. Terry’s “Myn Lyking,” John Rutter’s “Mary’s Lullaby,” Willcocks’ “Birthday Carol,” Rutter’s arrangement of “Sans Day Carol,” David Hill’s arrangement of “Away in a Manger,” Peter Warlock’s “Balulalow,” and Arthur Warrell’s arrangement of “A Merry Christmas.”

Hunt says Sandström’s setting of “Lo, how a rose” will captivate listeners with its “ethereal” spirit. Robinson’s “Rejoice and be merry,” Hunt says, “is very stylish in how it moves through interesting harmonies and counterpoint.”