Missouri State’s Grand Chorus and Symphony Orchestra — 278 performers in total — will join for the University’s annual Holiday Concert on Dec. 1 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
Dr. Christopher Kelts, director of orchestral activities, will conduct the free, two-hour concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Cameron LaBarr, director of choral studies, helped prepare the choir for their contributions.
Program of events
The evening will include the following pieces:
The First Noel
Audience sing-a-long
Good King Wenceles
Audience sing-a-long
Conducted by David Curtman and Garrett Lea, graduate students in the orchestral conducting program
Christmas Day
Gustav Holst
Featuring MSU student soloists Brianna Gilliam (soprano), Lisa Blake (mezzo), Will Allen King (tenor) and Michael Payne (baritone)
Russian Christmas Music
Alfred Reed
Featured Symphony Orchestra performance
Cantata BWV147
Johann Sebastian Bach
Featuring MSU faculty Dr. Carol Chapman (soprano), Dr. Ann Marie Daehn (mezzo) and Dr. Chris Thompson (baritone), as well as Dr. Jeremy Chesman playing the continuo, and esteemed alumnus Michael Spyres (tenor).
Opportunity to give back
The evening will also provide an opportunity to fulfill one of Missouri State’s public affairs goals: community engagement by giving back, Kelts said. Guests are asked to bring in canned goods or dried food items to donate to the Ozarks Food Harvest. There will be containers around the Hall for collections.
“The music is the nourishment for our souls, but we can also help with the nourishment of the body for those who need it in Springfield,” Kelts said.
Event details
Date: Dec. 1
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts
Admission: Free and open to the public
For more information, visit the music department site or the orchestra Facebook page, or call the music department at 417-836-5648.
Can’t make the event?
Nothing beats the experience of attending a performance in Hammons Hall; however, if you are unable to attend, the College of Arts and Letters plans to livestream the event at http://livestream.com/msu-coal/HolidayConcert-2015.
