The Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central Methodist University will present “Christmas at Central,” Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m. in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on the CMU campus. The event will feature the Conservatory Singers, the CMU Chorale, and the CMU Concert Band in a joyful afternoon of carols, classical masterworks, and seasonal favorites, and much more.
Under the direction of Dr. Thomas Clark, director of choral activities, the Conservatory Singers will present Mendelssohn’s There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth from Christus, featuring Mariah Nichols as the Angel and Tyler Hershey, Hunter Felten, and Danny Eckhoff as the three Kings. Their set continues with the French carol Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella, arranged by Lloyd Larson, and a tender performance of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, arranged by Doug Andrews.
The CMU Chorale, accompanied by Janet O’Neill (collaborative artist) and joined by instrumentalists Matt Hamilton (trumpet), Annelise Miner (horn), Natalie Moore (flute), Dr. Lucas Willsie (clarinet), Taylor Derendinger (percussion), and Prof. Zachary Kierstead (keyboard), performs Mark Hayes’ radiant Magnificat. Organist Jonelle Loehnig adds festive color to the service music.
The afternoon continues with the CMU Concert Band, directed by Prof. Chuck Moore, as they present a dynamic program including Holst’s On This Day the Earth Shall Ring (setting by Robert W. Smith), Markowski’s Joyride, Galante’s A Childhood Remembered, Karl King’s classic march Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite, and Randall Standridge’s rhythmic Groovitude. The concert concludes with all ensembles combining for Leroy Anderson’s beloved A Christmas Festival, offering a sparkling finish to the afternoon.
Members of the Conservatory Singers include:
Soprano – Meredith Ash, Tori Bales, Olivia Baumhoff, Liz Boyd, Madisyn Conway, Keira Driskell, Abi Evans, Richelle Milburn, Cecilia Rancatore, Alexandria Riley, Lauren Shields, Sandra Wald, and Ruari Wells
Alto – Harmony Andrews, Dr. Barbara Berwin, Alexis Casdorph, Tisha Clark, Charmaine Danda, Rachel Fisher, Morgan Kallmeyer, Alexis Livesay, Emma Mallen, Piper Merrill, Mariah Nichols, and Anna Walker
Tenor – Gessie Bruce, Kyle Drewes, Danny Eckhoff, Hunter Felten, Tyler Hershey, Jackson Krause, Logan Maxwell, and Maurice O’Neill
Bass – Thomas Beem, Gram Coalier, Eric Jackson, Jason Jones, Matthew Kreisler, Taylor Martin, Landon Meyer, Wyatt Mitchell, Tyler Shull, Edric Twine, and Ayden Zust
Performers with the Chorale include:
Soprano – Lizzie Berry, Liz Boyd, Madisyn Conway, Richelle Milburn, Grace O’Neal, Cecilia Rancatore, and Lauren Shields
Alto – Mallory Boyer, Emeline DeLapp, Taylor Derendinger, Anaya Little, Samantha Maddux, Mariah Nichols, Sydney VanGundy, and Jordyn Williamson
Tenor – Douglas Burchett, Danny Eckhoff, Hunter Felten, Owen Flores, Tyler Hershey, Jackson Krause, and Wesley Miner
Bass – Gram Coalier, Davis Conway, Matt Hamilton, Matthew Kreisler, Brandon Prince, Ethan Schaefferkoetter, Edric Twine, and Noah VanGundy
Concert Band members include:
Flute – Gessie Bruce, Haley Coats, Devin Jones, Ruari Wells, and Emily Skodak
Clarinet – Jordyn Williamson, Kylie Dickinson, Matthew Simons, Caleb Raley, Eric Jackson, Wyatt Mitchell, Ephram Weiseman, and Reagan Klouzek
Bass Clarinet – Nathan Jester, Sadie Burchett, and Cory Lewis
Bassoon – Aubrey Cutler
Alto Saxophone – Brandon Prince and Morgan Kallmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Kylie Dickenson and Wyatt Mitchell
Trumpet – Matthew Hamilton, Kaydee Hummel, Evan Coats, and Chase Staton
Horn – Doug Burchett and Madisyn Conway
Trombone – Caleb Scantlin and Kyle Drewes
Euphonium – Caleb Scantlin and Wesley Miner
Tuba – Wesley Miner and Trinity Thompkins
Percussion – Max Blankenship, Jacob Cullom, Gavin Callahan, Elizabeth Berry, and Lauren Shields