Buddy The Elf famously said, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” And this Tuesday, the combined choirs and orchestra will do their best to spread holiday spirit.
The concert features the Ohio University Singers, conducted by Daniel J. Hall, the
Women's Ensemble conducted by Paul Mayhew, Singing Men of Ohio also conducted by Hall and the Ohio University Choral Union conducted by Peter Jarjisian, as well as the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Huang.
Mayhew, director of the Women’s Ensemble, said there are many reasons to be excited about the concert.
“We are featuring some of my colleagues, all of whom are really fantastic. I am very excited about the Women’s Ensemble and the “Let It Snow” piece,” Mayhew said. “The Women’s Chorale is performing the “Let It Snow” piece and it was arranged by Sean Parsons, new to the faculty this year. He teaches music theory and jazz and jazz piano, and originally arranged the piece for the winner of America’s Got Talent two years ago.”
Additionally, Mayhew said the closing piece will be an audience favorite.
“It is entitled ‘Gloria’ and it is a contemporary performance,” he said. “It’s a great closing number and it involves about 230 singers and 45 orchestra members.”
D’Nair Newsom, a tenor I in the Singing Men of Ohio and a sophomore studying journalism, said audiences will gain appreciation for different holiday music through the concert.
“I think this concert is going to be different because we are doing more than just the standard Christmas music,” he said. “We are singing a traditional African American piece, and we dive into different religious and ethnic backgrounds.”
Devin Sudman, a sophomore studying choral music education, a tenor II in The Singing Men of Ohio and a baritone in The Ohio University Singers, said he is looking forward to the performance.
“We don't get to hear all of the voices regularly so it is a new experience when we all get together and sing; it's like a whole new choir,” he said.
Mayhew said he thinks that students should attend the concert to get them ready for the holidays.
“It will put them in the holiday spirit,” he said. “It is a nice break from the last week of classes and there are two chances for the audience to sing along.”
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