The West Virginia University choral program will present its annual Holiday Concert at the Creative Arts Center, Sunday, Dec. 4. Titled “Holiday Music from Ireland and the British Isles,” the concert will feature the WVU Symphony Orchestra, as well as several groups from the Choral Area, in a program of seasonal favorites.

Conducted by Jeffry Blake Johnson, interim director of the Choral Area, as well as students Sarah Nale, Daniel Kovacic, Michael Hamm and Katie McDonald, the program begins at 3:15 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.

The WVU Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Mitchell Arnold, director of Orchestral Studies.

Other groups performing include the WVU Choral Union, the vocal jazz group “Same Difference,” the University Choir, the Women’s Choir, and the Women’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

The program will feature the traditional Jewish song “Mizehidlik;” John Rutter’s “Candlelight Carol;” “The Christmas Song” by Mel Torm� and Robert Wells; the African-American spiritual “Behold That Star,” arranged by H.T. Burleigh; “Gesu Bambino” by Pietro A. Yon; “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane; “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by James “Kim” Gannon and Walter Kent; “Silent Night” by Franz Xaver Gruber; “Midnight Clear” by Russell Schulz-Widmar; “Gloria” by Mary McAuliffe; “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” by Ralph Vaughan Williams; “Hallelujah” (Messiah) by George Frideric H�ndel; and a Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long, featuring many old favorites.

Student vocalists performing include Devan Balaguer, Christie Curley, Kaitlyn Grosso, Laura Koposko, Katie McDonald, Alexandra Elmes, Kaitlyn Smith, Erin Handley, Ian Cicco, Christopher Toeller, Aaron Scarberry, Sarah Nale, and Samuel Viggiano.

The vocal soloists and ensembles will be accompanied by pianists Jeffry Blake Johnson, Yana Tyulkova and Sora Lee. Cellist Sara Beattie will be featured as soloist in the Ralph Vaughan Williams work.

Tickets are $10 for the general public, $6 for WVU faculty and staff and senior citizens, and $5 for students, children and members of groups of 10 or more.

Tickets are available at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center Box Offices, or by calling (304) 293-SHOW. Tickets will also be available at the door.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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