Announcing —
Light in a Time of Darkness:
Music for the Season

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

As the days grow shorter, join Sacred and Profane in December for the warmth of winter solstice traditions. We will sing music from holidays that celebrate light such as Swedish Lucia, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa, as well as secular music about the emotional power of light. Our concert includes Thomas Tallis’ Renaissance masterpiece O Nata Lux, music by Swedish composers Sven-David Sandström, Karin Rehnqvist, and Matthew Peterson; music of African American composers Bernice Johnson Reagon of Sweet Honey in the Rock and Marques L.A. Garrett; and works by local composers Daniel Afonso and David Conte. We conclude the concert with selections from Dale Trumbore’s A Calendar of Light about climate activism and invite you to sing with us! 

Announcing Season 49:

Recent Projects:

'I himmelen' (1906) by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907), performed in December 2024 as part of 'Norden: A Scandinavian Holiday Celebration,' featuring baritone soloist Adam Lange.

Sacred and Profane Chamber Chorus 

Sacred & Profane is a distinguished adult volunteer choir dedicated to the refined performance of a cappella choral music. Our repertoire spans a broad spectrum of styles and historical periods—from medieval to contemporary—and includes sacred and secular works, as well as traditional, ethnic, and folk compositions. We regularly present concerts throughout Berkeley, San Francisco, and neighboring Bay Area communities, with rehearsals held in Oakland.

Based in Berkeley, California, Sacred and Profane reflects the social justice values of our community. We foster an inclusive and supportive environment for singers seeking artistic growth and musical excellence. Our programming features early and modern works from around the world, with a particular emphasis on compositions by local artists and Swedish composers. Renowned for our authentic interpretations and rich vocal diversity, we strive to bring depth and nuance to every performance.

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ACCESS, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

Sacred and Profane Chamber Chorus is committed to celebrating our vibrant and diverse community. We embrace the power of music to express our shared humanity and support equity and belonging in both our internal operations and external programming. Click to read more about our process, goals, and plan of action.

Sacred and Profane is supported in part by generous grants from the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, the City of Berkeley Civic Arts Commission, and the Alameda County Arts Commission. S & P is also generously supported by media sponsor KALW Local Public Radio.