Music for the Holidays Expands to Three Concerts, Dec. 5, 6

For two decades, the School of Music at Illinois State University has kicked off the holiday season with a Music for the Holidays concert featuring most of the School's performers.  The event has become so popular over the years that the one concert grew into two concerts, and this year a third concert has been added.

The 20th annual Music for the Holidays concert will be presented at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.  Admission is $10 for the general public, $8 for faculty and staff and $7 for students and senior citizens.  Tickets are available at the CPA box office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or by calling (309) 438-2535.

The Trumpet Ensemble will open the concert with "Trumpet Fanfare," conducted by faculty member Amy Gilreath-Major.  The combined women's choirs, conducted by Sarah Graham, will perform Wilhausky's "Carol of the Bells," followed by the ISU Symphony Orchestra and combined choirs singing selections from Handel's "Messiah."  Director of Choral Activities Karyl Carlson will conduct "But Who May Abide," "Glory of the Lord "and" Halleluiah."  Senior Ben Bettis will be the bass soloist in "But Who May Abide" at the 7 p.m. Saturday concert. 

Senior Ben Nadel will conduct the orchestra in a performance of Lucas Richman's "Hannukah Festival Overture," and graduate student Dennis Gotkowski will conduct the Concert Choir and Civic Chorale in singing Ernest Bloch's "Silent Devotion and Response."  It will be followed by the orchestra's performance of "Farandole" from "L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2" by Georges Bizet, conducted by graduate student Carlos Avila, and the Men's Glee Club singing "Wassail," conducted by faculty member Tim Fredstrom.

"A Christmas Festival" by Leroy Anderson, a concert staple, will be performed by the orchestra conducted by James Major, dean of the College of Fine Arts.  Then the Singing Redbirds, local youngsters aged 9 to 12, will perform "Christmastime is Here," and the orchestra will perform another Leroy Anderson holiday concert classic, "Sleigh Ride."  Senior Mallory Alekna will conduct.  Sarah Graham will return to conduct the Women's Glee Club performance of "African Noel" by Andre Thomas.

Following university greetings from James Major at Saturday's concerts and President Al Bowman on Sunday's, the concert will close with "Many Moods of Christmas, Suite No. 3" performed by the orchestra and combined choirs.  The popular piece was arranged by Robert Shaw and will be conducted by Director of Orchestras Glenn Block.