choir
School of Music
Kent, Ohio - The Kent State Choral Department presents a holiday themed concert on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Ludwig Recital Hall. Ludwig Recital Hall is located in the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive on the Kent State University Kent campus. Free parking.
The Holiday Choral Collage Concerts feature the Nova Jazz Singers, KSU Women’s & Men’s Choruses, and the KSU Chorale in a delightful program full of familiar holiday music. The combined choirs will sing a processional, “Personent Hodie,” as well as Marilyn Shrude’s setting of "Silent Night.” Marilyn Shrude is visiting campus as the guest composer for the Kent State New Music Series over the weekend. The Chorale, under the direction of Scott MacPherson, will sing two contrasting settings of “O Magnum Mysterium;” one by Francis Poulenc and the other by Chorale member and composition student Todd St. John. Audience members will also be treated to arrangements of familiar carols "Ding Dong Merrily on High" and "In the Bleak Midwinter."
Also featured on the program is the Women's Chorus, under the direction of Deborah Devore, presenting “Carol of the Bells,” “S'vivon,” and “Gaudete.” The Men's Chorus, under the direction of Bryon Black II, will peform the exciting Nigerian carol "Betelehemu" featuring percussion. Additionally, they will present Straight No Chaser's "12 Days of Christmas,” a clever mash-up of well known Christmas tunes. The Nova Jazz Singers, under the direction of Christopher Venesile, will be presenting an a cappella arrangement of "They Say It’s Wonderful” and a seven-part setting of "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and Kent State University faculty and staff, $10 for groups of 10 or more patrons, $8 for non Kent State students who are not eligible for the Fee for Free and free for full-time Kent Campus undergraduate students. Also, thanks to a generous donation from a long-time supporter and patron of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music, anyone 18 and under can attend the concerts for free, although a ticket must be reserved.
Tickets are available weekdays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Performing Arts Box Office, located in the lobby of the Roe Green Center in the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive on the campus of Kent State University. The Performing Arts Box Office accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover, in addition to cash and checks.
The Ludwig Recital Hall Box Office will open one hour prior to the performance for walk up sales, however, we encourage patrons to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines. Tickets and more information are available by calling 330-672-ARTS (2787). You may purchase adult and senior tickets online by visiting www.kent.edu/music/buy-tickets.
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School of Music
The Kent State Nova Jazz Singers fuses the choral tradition with the power and innovation of jazz.
The Nova Jazz Singers was founded in 2012 by Dr. Christopher J. Venesile, now-retired Associate Professor of Choral Music Education, to bring the disciplines of advanced choral singing and the language of jazz together. As both a popular, contemporary music and a recognized world classical music, jazz reflects America's social and musical history. In the 21st century, jazz has become a historical music as well as a continually evolving art, absorbing current style to keep the music spontaneous and fresh.
The ensemble performs annually at premier jazz clubs in Northeast Ohio, New York City jazz clubs, the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Chicago, IL, and in 2020 will be featured at the Ohio Music Education Association State Professional Conference."
Who are the Nova Jazz singers and what will you learn?
- The Nova Jazz Singers provides our Kent State University students opportunities to study jazz and choral music in a compelling art form.
- Our members are undergraduate and graduate students from majors across the university.
- Rehearsals are held three times a week in the late afternoon in the Center for the Performing Arts.
- Members learn techniques in solo and ensemble jazz arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook and beyond.
- Jazz history, theory, and improvisation are also learned as well as self-accompaniment on piano.
Joining Nova Jazz Singers
- Membership is open to all undergraduate and graduate Kent State students.
Questions?
Contact
Sam Al-Hadid
salhadid@kent.edu