Band, Choirs to Perform Concert

Central Methodist University and the Swinney Conservatory of Music will soon present “An Evening in December: A Celebration of the Season,” with the CMU band and choirs performing a holiday concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, December 8, at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church.

Featuring the Sound of Central, the Conservatory Singers, and the Chorale, the concert is free and open to the public.

Under the direction of Dr. Kara Metzger, director of bands, the Sound of Central will be performing a number of seasonal pieces, including Caccia and Chorale by Clifton Williams, Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol by Percy Grainger, Declaration Overture by Central’s own Claude T. Smith, and Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite March by Karl King.

Personnel for the band’s performance includes the following:

• Flute – Casey Brooks, Johnny Brownell-Hecke, Gessie Bruce, Hayleigh Coats, Devin Jones, and Rauri Wells
• Clarinet – Kylie Dickinson, Faith Jasper, Meckenzie Jones, Reagan Klouzek, Wyatt Mitchell, Caleb Raley, Matthew T. Simons, Ephram Weisman, and Jordan Williamson
• Bass clarinet – Sadie Burchett, Nathan Jester, and Cory Lewis
• Alto saxophone – Emma McLaughlin and Brandon Prince
• Trumpet – Matt Hamilton, Kaydee Hummel, Matthew Kilmer, and Unique McGhee
• Horn – Doug Burchett, Madisyn Conway, Alden Senor, and Tambria Wilson
• Trombone – Kyle Drewes, Caleb Scantlin, and Thanapat Tracy
• Euphonium – Landon Meyer
• Tuba – Wesley Miner and Trinity Thompkins
• Percussion – Taylor Baker, Lizzie Berry, Max Blankenship, and Maya Elliott
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The CMU choirs, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Clark, director of choral activities, will perform an array of works that blend traditional favorites with unique, contemporary selections. The Conservatory Singers will perform O Radiant Dawn by James MacMillan; He, Watching Over Israel by Felix Medelssohn; and Carol of the Bells by Mykola Leontovych. Adding to the concert’s special moments, the audience will be invited to join in singing O Come, All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

The program highlights for the Chorale portion include Gaudete by Brian Kay, Alma Redemptoris Mater by G.P. da Palestrina, and Stars by Ēriks Ešenvalds. In the latter song, the singers will be accompanied by a chorus of pitched wine glasses, as the contemporary work creates a magical and otherworldly effect that evokes the awe-inspiring beauty of a starlit sky.

Members of Conservatory Singers are:

• Sopranos – Merideth Ash, Emily Millstead, Colleen Allen, Elizabeth Boyd, Madisyn Conway, Cecilia Rancatore, Makaila Irby, and Ruari Wells
• Altos – Richelle Milburn, Mariah Nichols, Emeline DeLapp, Harmony Andrews, Meckenzie Jones, and Ralyn Rampton
• Tenors – Justyn Daigle, Tyler Hershey, Matty Simons, Douglas Burchett, and Kyle Drews
• Basses – Thomas Beem, Landon Meyer, Gram Coalier, Che Gianquinto, Caleb Smith, Paul Reinert, and Matt Hamilton
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Members of the Chorale include:

• Sopranos – Elizabeth Berry, Madisyn Conway, Emily Millstead, Richelle Milburn, Grace O'Neal, Ralyn Rampton, and Lauren Shields
• Altos – Taylor Baker, Mallory Boyer, Emeline DeLapp, Samantha Maddux, Mariah Nichols, and Arielle Prince
• Tenors – Grady Baker, Danny Eckhoff, Owen Flores, Tyler Hershey, and Xaden Lockett
• Basses – Gram Coalier, Ethan Schaefferkoetter, Wesley Miner, Paul Reinert, Noah VanGundy