Be the Light--

Holiday Tunes for Troubled Times

A solo concert by renowned pianist Jacqueline Schwab.
A potpourri of popular winter seasonal songs from around the world ending in a sing-along for all!

Pianist Jacqueline Schwab, heard on heard on Ken Burns’ new PBS documentary series The American Revolution, his Grammy-award winning Civil War and many others, will perform her multifaith/multicultural winter tide program Be The Light—Holiday Tunes for Troubled Times, at the historic building of First Parish of Sudbury, MA, on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Inspired by noted poet Amanda Gorman’s quintessential words, "There is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it," Be the Light celebrates music embracing hope, inner strength and change. Jacqueline’s program of soulful traditional Appalachian carols, rousing sea island spirituals and well-known, vintage New England holiday standards, along with Hanukkah (“Festival of lights”) songs and seasoned-if-non-seasonal music of transformation will be an oasis of quiet reflection, peace and joy amidst this busy season in our challenging times. Jacqueline will share stories about, whatever our beliefs, how historical tunes can speak to us today and help create a ripple effect empowering the world. This will be Jacqueline’s third concert at First Parish of Sudbury.

Jacqueline spins emotive musical stories out of the many strands in the American quilt, with community music making at their heart. Her signature playing features in over a dozen of Ken Burns’ PBS documentary series, including his new The American Revolution, his Grammy-award winning Civil War and many others, as well as in other PBS documentaries, such as The Irish in America—The Long Journey Home. She has performed at the White House for President Clinton and on national PBS with the American Pops Orchestra, and she has accompanied Scottish singer Jean Redpath on public radio’s A Prairie Home Companion and on CBS’s Late Show with David Letterman. She is well known in the traditional dance world for her playing with the Bare Necessities ensemble. Her most recent solo album I Lift My Lamp—Illuminations from Immigrant America celebrates vintage music from American immigrants.

Free parking is available at First Parish’s Meetinghouse, 327 Concord Road, Sudbury, or across the street, behind Sudbury Town Hall.

Be the Light--Holiday Tunes for Troubled Times

Be the Light--Holiday Tunes for Troubled Times