Andrews University is dressed with white snow, and most decorations are up, but the Christmas season cannot go into full swing without music. That is why, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m., the Department of Music will be presenting its annual Christmas Extravaganza concert. It will feature all three major ensembles of the university—University Choirs, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Symphony—at the Howard Performing Arts Center (HPAC). The concert will feature seasonal works and classics from the Christmas repertoire, making it a must-see for anyone in town.
“The Christmas Extravaganza is one of the most meaningful events of the year for our music department,” said Max Keller, chair of the Department of Music, who emphasized how this concert brings together a big part of the musical community on campus to celebrate this season in a cheerful spirit through music. “The concert reveals the hard work and dedication our musicians put into their craft and is an opportunity to showcase the talents and abilities cultivated in our department,” Keller added.
Marc Élysée, the director of the Symphony Orchestra, oversees the logistics of this event. Élysée commented on how complicated this task can be, as he not only has to look after more than 150 musicians on stage, but also coordinates additional performances and elements that will occur during intermission, during which the music department office will offer hot drinks and pastries to attendees.
“I like to program contrasting pieces to make the experience more fun for the audience and to challenge the orchestra,” said Élysée when commenting on the repertoire of the orchestra. The AUSO will feature a transcription of Thomas Tallis’ “O Nata Lux,” a Christmas Jazz Suite by Bill Holcombe, “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire”, and “What Child is This?” with alto soloist Lyra Lacson (sophomore, music education).
“This is going to be my first time singing with an orchestra,” said Lacson, excited for the opportunity to get the solo part. Lacson is also part of the university choirs, whose repertoire she feels optimistic and enthusiastic about. “I feel like they really embodied the whole extravaganza part of the title of our concert,” Lacson commented.
While Stephen Zork, the director of the university choirs, misses the former concert schedule—in which the choirs would be the only ones in charge of the “Welcome Christmas” program and thus could focus on a single narrative—he is still excited about the upcoming concert. “It feels less stressful!” Zork admits. “It’s much less repertoire to prepare, and it's nice to share the stage and programming with my colleagues.” The choirs will be singing arrangements of favorite songs such as “Silent Night,” “O Come All ye Faithful” and “Christmas Dinner,” the latter being arranged by Zork himself for choir, vocal soloist, and chamber orchestra.
Denisse Santos-Gooden, director of the Wind Symphony, shared that last year’s first Christmas Extravaganza was a great way to work with the other ensembles and feature them together. The AUWS will be playing renditions of “The First Noel” by Julie Giroux, a selection of carols, a suite based on the soundtrack of “The Polar Express,” and the classic “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson. “I think it will be an evening of fun, and all who attend will be blessed by the music,” Santos-Gooden said.
Keller highlights that the concert is not just about performance. “It shows our commitment to collaboration and service through creativity and excellence in the arts,” Keller said. Élysée adds to it by reminding attendees that “in addition to remembering the birth of our Lord, we also get to enjoy each other’s company in a shared spirit of gratitude.”
Whether you need a way to decompress before finals week haunts you or if you are looking to get into the spirit with your friends and family, this concert is the perfect opportunity for you. The repertoire will be the same for both nights, so if you cannot attend one day, you can come to the next one. If not for the music, come to the concert for music students like Eleanor Joyce (senior, music education), who is excited to be the special soloist for the Wind Symphony playing slapstick in “Sleigh Ride.”
Tickets are available for purchase at the HPAC’s website.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.