AU Symphony Orchestra : The Sounds of Christmas

Join the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Andrew Koehler, for a beautiful evening of international music inspired by and infused with the Christmas spirit.  Featuring works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Delius, Bizet, Sibelius, and Mozart, among many others, the program will also feature rarely-heard gems from the traditional Christmas music of Ukraine as well as several special guest artists. Carla Trynchuk will be soloist in the finale of Tchaikovsky's dazzling violin concerto; the Chicago-based Bandura ( a traditional Ukrainian folk instrument) ensemble "Char-Zillia" will share their traditions; and the orchestra will be joined by the Andrews University Singers with their music director Stephen Zork for both Ukrainian and American carols. 

Andrew Koehler is currently the music director of the Kalamazoo Philharmonia, which he leads as part of his position as an associate professor of music at Kalamazoo College.  His innovative and thoughtful programming there was honored with the 2014 American Prize Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in Orchestral Programming.  He also holds concurrent posts as music director of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, and as the cover conductor and frequent guest conductor of the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra.  He is an active guest conductor at home and internationally.  Born in Philadelphia to Ukrainian parents, Andrew began his musical studies on the violin at the age of five.  He is a graduate of Yale College, where he completed a B.A. in Music and German Studies - graduating with honors and distinction in both majors.  We welcome him to our stage.

Learn more about the Chicago based Bandura "Char-Zillia" at http://www.banduristka.org/the-bandura.