Woodwinds played, trumpets blared, the organ roared, bells chimed, and people sang to a full house in St. Joseph’s Chapel at the hour-long Christmas concert presented by Seton Hill University’s music department on December 4, 2005. The concert opened with the 15-person woodwind ensemble, directed by Kathleen Campbell, playing arrangements of well-known Christmas tunes like �O Come, O Come Emmanuel� and �Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella.�
The first group was the women’s chorale, which sings in four parts–two divisions each of sopranos and altos. They had a variety of pieces, including a cappella number called �Lift Thine Eyes� and a piano duet accompaniment played by piano majors Katherine Florian, junior, and Jennifer Myers, senior.
By Meredith Ponczak,
Staff Writer
Woodwinds played, trumpets blared, the organ roared, bells chimed, and people sang to a full house in St. Joseph’s Chapel at the hour-long Christmas concert presented by Seton Hill University’s music department on December 4, 2005. The concert opened with the 15-person woodwind ensemble, directed by Kathleen Campbell, playing arrangements of well-known Christmas tunes like �O Come, O Come Emmanuel� and �Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella.�
The first group was the women’s chorale, which sings in four parts–two divisions each of sopranos and altos. They had a variety of pieces, including a cappella number called �Lift Thine Eyes� and a piano duet accompaniment played by piano majors Katherine Florian, junior, and Jennifer Myers, senior.
Between groups throughout the concert, the audience was asked to join in singing hymns like �Hark, the Herald Angels Sing� and �O Come All Ye Faithful� played by organ students Nathan Bellas, junior, and Florian. �People have requested that we sing hymns in years past, and they like to sing traditional hymns,� said Florian.
The chamber choir is a four-part a cappella choir consisting of both men and women that has only been rehearsing since the middle of the semester. A cappella singing is difficult because no piano or other instrument exists to help keep the singers on pitch. In the limited amount of rehearsal time they were given, they were able to learn three pieces for the concert.
The handbell choir played four pieces with varying styles. One piece, �Patapan,� required the bells to be hit with mallets instead of being rung by hand. It produces a sound more like a clunk than a clear ring. Bellas, who plays eight bells in the handbell choir, said �The bells remind me of Christmas.�
One noticeable feature in each group’s selections, except the Chamber Choir, was the inclusion of Gloria. Each group played a piece with the word �Gloria� in the title, a song of praise to God.
The music was also very religious in nature. References to Mary and the birth of Jesus abounded in the choir selections and in the hymns sung. These selections showcased the fact that this is a Catholic university, the concert was performed in a chapel, and the title on the program cover was �Glory to God.�
The last choir to go on was the university choir, which includes men and women. Their pieces seemed to be the most eclectic. �Adam Lay Ybounden� featured a quick tempo, constantly moving organ accompaniment, and a huge crescendo at the end. �Myn Liking� was the only song in the concert with soloists.
Junior voice major Colleen Sutter said of her solo, �I wasn’treally nervous; I�m used to singing in front of people. I thought it went well.�
The song �Christmas Gloria� closed the concert and utilized the entire music department. Brass instruments added to the sound, as well as a timpani and the organ. The sound on the last chord with all of the instruments and the singers filled St. Joseph’s Chapel and resonated even after Conductor Marvin Huls gave the final cue to cut off.
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