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Choir, Brass & Opera Showcased at 2010 Christmas at Mary Concert

Presented by University of Mary

December 4-December 5, 2010

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The University of Mary 2010 Christmas at Mary concert brings together three distinct artistic elements that are sure to put the audience in the holiday spirit. The 2010 edition of this annual musical celebration includes the Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Tom Porter, the Gabrieli Brass Ensemble under the direction of Dennis Gowen, and the performance of Gian-Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” directed by Katherine Henjum.

This one-hour and 45-minute concert will be presented in The Our Lady of Annunciation Chapel on Sat., Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free and the performances are open to the public.

“The program for the Christmas concert provides a wide array of choral music, from chant to contemporary,” commented Porter. “Featured pieces include "Tota pulchra es," by Norwegian composer Ola Gjielo, "Ave Maria," by Franz Biebl, sung by the men of the choir, and a rousing version of the traditional carol, "Personent hodie." Another featured piece is "O nata lux" by American composer Morten Lauridsen. Lauridsen has a gift for creating beautiful, flowing melodies in each voice, and lush, interesting harmonies. The choir latched on to this piece at the beginning of the semester, and it has become a favorite of chorus members and audiences alike.”

The Concert Choir includes 68 students ranging in majors from music to exercise science. The choir recently toured eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, performing for students in West Fargo, Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, ND, and East Grand Forks and Detroit Lakes, MN.

The Gabrieli Brass Ensemble, a large brass ensemble now in its 15th year will perform under the direction of Gowen, “This ensemble has enjoyed performing a number of Giovanni Gabrieli’s most famous large brass ensemble works,” commented Gowen, director of bands and brass studies at U-Mary. “Written for the Cathedral of St. Mark’s in Venice, Italy, these masterpieces take advantage of the acoustics and space of St. Mark’s by calling for two, three, or four independent brass choirs in a unique antiphonal setting. This year’s performance features Gabrieli’s “Canzon Quarti Toni” (Canzona in the Fourth Mode) with Jan Candee joining in on organ.”

Choir members will also participate in “Amahl,” as members of the cast and orchestra, and as part of the chorus of shepherds and shepherdesses.

Since its first performance on Christmas Eve, 1951, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” has taken its place with “A Christmas Carol” as a holiday classic. The University of Mary celebrates this tradition with its performance of the one-act opera. The story tells of the night the Three Kings, following the star to Bethlehem, stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy. When Amahl offers his own simple gift to the Christ Child a miracle happens.