FSU Musical Ensembles Join Forces to Present an Array of Music for the Holidays and Winter Season

A collection of ensembles and musical groups from the Frostburg State University Department of Music will join forces to present their annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

Immediately before the concert, at 2:30 p.m., a prelude performance by the FSU Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Brent Weber, will take place in the Performing Arts Center lobby.

The concert program will include the FSU Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ash Glenn, performing “Aria di Chiesa” by Alessandro Stradella, which unfolds in an emotional display of harmonic and dramatic tension, as well as “Emmanuel Variants” by Robert E. Foster, an exceptionally innovative setting of the ancient and well-known Christmas carol “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Conducted by Dr. Scott Rieker, the FSU Chamber Singers will perform “Deer Song” from “Considering Matthew Shepard” by Craig Hella Johnson, inspired by a deer that had been lying by the fence near Shephard when he was found, near death. Rieker will also conduct the University Chorale in its performance of the secular Christmas carol “Good King Kong Looked Out” by PDQ Bach and “A Carol for All Children” by Adolphus Hailstork, a composer with a uniquely humanist approach to the notion of “carol.” Rieker will also lead the Troubadours in “Things That Never Die” by Lee Dengler, inspired by Charles Dickens, and “Praise Him” by Michael Cox, an interesting treatment of Psalm 150.

The FSU Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Mackenzie Jacob LaMont, will perform “Jingle Bells” (1857) by James Lord Pierpont, one of the best-known and commonly sung American songs in the world.

Tom Harrison will conduct the FSU Jazz Combo in “This Christmas” (1970) by American soul musician Donny Hathaway, which has become a modern Christmas standard.

The FSU Brass Ensemble, under Joshua Bishop, will play the popular “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Weber will conduct the FSU Saxophone Ensemble in “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano” by American composer Lawson Lunde.

Finally, Gregory Scott Stuart will direct the Opera Theatre chorus in “Have You Seen the Child” from “Amahl and the Night Visitors” (1951), the one-act opera by Gian Carlo Menotti.

In addition, faculty and student soloists and duets will perform on cello, piano and guitar, as well as vocals.

FSU is following CDC guidance based on current area conditions. Currently, masks are to be worn indoors in the presence of others, regardless of vaccination status. Event attendees are encouraged to visit www.frostburg.edu/checkin for symptom monitoring. Users can display the portal’s “Reduced Risk” badge on a mobile device for admission, or they may respond to symptom-check questions posted at events.

For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.