From traditional Christmas carols to vibrant renditions of old classics, the College and Chamber choirs are gearing up with everything they’ve got to make the final concert of the semester a memorable one.
The Choir Concert is Dec. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at College Baptist Church.
The Chamber Choir will perform first, followed by the College Choir. The college choir consists of 100 members and includes the smaller Chamber Choir, which is an audition-based group consisting of 31 singers.
Both choirs will be performing a variety of songs, but the feature piece is “Gloria,” by John Rutter. Choir Director and Professor of Music James Holleman said that though he is excited for other songs, “Gloria” is the most pivotal to the concert.
“It’s the centerpiece of our concert,” Holleman said. “It’s high energy and fun, and the brass adds a nice element to it as well. It’s also a good chance for our organ player to perform on stage.”
Indeed, unlike the other songs, which will be performed a cappella, “Gloria” will have live music accompaniment by an organ player and the brass and percussion sections of the college orchestra.
Freshman trumpet player Conor Woodfin says that he is looking forward to the unique sound that the combination of choir and band ensemble will produce.
“I always look forward to playing in a different setting with new people, and the sound in College Baptist Church should be really cool,” Woodfin said.
Many choir members are also looking forward performing the piece.
Junior Claire Ziegler, third-year Chamber Choir member and first soprano, said that “Gloria” is quite unlike anything she has performed, describing it as “a big, multi-movement work with a contemporary setting.”
In addition to “Gloria,” the choirs will perform Christmas carols and Christmas themed songs to get students ready for the holidays.
One of the favorite pieces among choir members is a piece called “Entreat Me Not to Leave You,” a song based on the book of Ruth.
“The harmonies are very challenging but so beautiful,” Ziegler said, and Chamber Choir sophomore baritone Richard Caster added that he has “yet to go to a practice without getting goosebumps.”
Though this is the last concert of the semester, students who cannot attend will have two more opportunities to hear the College Choir. The full choir carols twice before the semester is over –– once downtown on Dec.7 at noon, and again at dinner time in the student union on Dec.10.
Caster said that the concert will be a fun way for students to get ready for the coming holidays.
“It’s a perfect way to kick off the break,” Caster said, “come on down, bring a date, and it’ll be one of the most romantic evenings you’ve ever had.”
