Date: November 18, 2009
Contact: pr@andrews.edu
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Andrews University will usher in the 2009 Christmas season with a host of festive concerts including classical orchestra, choirs, carols, and elementary and academy youth performances. All programs will take place on campus and are open to the public.
 
Voices will ring in the season with the Welcome Christmas Choral Concert on Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Howard Performing Arts Center. The program will feature various University choirs, including the University Chorale, Canta Bella, Pioneer Men's Chorus and Andrews University Singers, under the direction of Stephen Zork, director of choral studies. The choirs will be accompanied by the University Sinfonietta. The event is free and no tickets are required.
 
The Andrews University Wind Symphony’s Winter Concert takes place the following night, Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. in the Howard Center. The Wind Symphony performs both sacred and secular pieces including Russian Christmas Music by Alfred Reed, Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, First Noel and Divinum Mysterium arranged by Tom Wallace, Ernst August March by Blankenburg, Christmas Sing-A-Long arranged by James Ployhar, and Scenes from the Louvre by Dello Joio, directed by graduate student director Abner Perales.  General admission is $5 and student/senior tickets are $3.
 
An Old-Fashioned Carol Sing will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13, as part of the Second Sunday Concert Series. The program will begin at 4 p.m. General admission is $5 and student/senior tickets are $3.
 
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School and Andrews Academy, both University-operated schools, will each continue their musical traditions to welcome the season. The Andrews Academy Feast of Lights will feature student groups performing at Pioneer Memorial Church on Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Presented as a gift to the community for more than 30 years, the program includes a Nativity scene at the end and group choral singing which the entire congregation can join in. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in bright Christmas lighting and decorations. The Christmas concert by students of Ruth Murdoch Elementary School will feature the Spanish Choirs, 3rd-6th Grade Choir and the Ruth Murdoch Singers. This performance will be held in the Howard Center on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. There is free admission to the Feast of Lights and RMES Christmas Concert.