holidays

Kent, OH — The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State kicks off the holiday season with three events over the weekend, Dec. 7 and 8. On Sat., Dec. 7, at 3 p.m., the Kent State Choirs join together to present the annual Holiday Choral Collage. That same day at 7:30 p.m., the Kent State New Music Ensemble will present their second concert of the year. Then, on Sun., Dec. 8 at 3 p.m., that Kent State Orchestra will feature faculty pianist Dr. Donna Lee.  

The Dec. 7, 3 p.m. Holiday Choral Collage will present music from around the world, including gospel, vocal jazz, barbershop, Hanukkah songs and Christmas carols. Over 200 voices will join together to kick-off the Holiday Season, with highlights of the Saturday matinee, including the performance of Corey Rubin’s arrangement of “Ma-oz Tzur”—a traditional Hanukkah liturgical poem—and “Three Hanukkah Songs” arranged by Charles Baker. They will also sing “Betelehemu,” a Nigerian carol arranged by Wendell Whalum. Student composer Corey McGinnis’ new arrangement of “Do you hear what I hear?” will be performed.

Directors include Dr. Scott MacPherson, Byron Black II, Dr. Christopher Venesile and graduate assistant Jesse Reed. This concert will take place in Cartwright Hall at 650 Hilltop Dr. Free parking is available off of Terrace Dr.

Tickets for the Holiday Choral Collage are $8-$15 and free for under 18s. They can be purchased through the Performing Arts Box Office. Find more information and buy tickets at www.kent.edu/music/buy-tickets. Patrons can also call 330-672-2787 or visit in-person at 1325 Theatre Dr. in the Center for the Performing Arts on the Kent Campus. Use code “choral25” to receive 25 percent off at checkout for this concert.

Later on Dec. 7, the Glauser School’s New Music Ensemble performs the second concert of the New Music Series at 7:30 p.m. They present the premiere of student composer Zeke Paulowski's musically wild and adventurous "Contraception: The Song Cycle." The concert will also feature guest singers alumnus David Kulma and Malina Rauschenfels, and George Lewis' inventive open score work "Artificial Life 2007.”

Drs. Adam Roberts and Noa Even co-direct the New Music Ensemble. This concert is free and open to the public in Ludwig Recital Hall at 1325 Theatre Dr. in the Kent Campus’ Center for the Performing Arts. Free parking is available.

Finally, on Sun., Dec. 8 at 3 p.m., the Kent State University Orchestra will close out the first half of our 2019-2020 season. They will feature faculty pianist Dr. Donna Lee on Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor. Known for her “elegant,” “refined” and “brilliant” performances, Dr. Lee is an in-demand soloist, recitalist and teacher. Dr. Lee is also the coordinator of Kent State’s Piano Division and a Steinway Artist. Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D major will also be performed.

Dr. Jungho Kim directs with assistance from graduate assistant conductor Karen Ní Bhroin. This concert will take place in Cartwright Hall at 650 Hilltop Dr. Free parking is available off of Terrace Dr.

Tickets for the Kent State Orchestra concert are $8-$15 and free for under 18s. They can be purchased through the Performing Arts Box Office. Find more information and buy tickets at www.kent.edu/music/buy-tickets. Patrons can also call 330-672-2787 or visit in-person at 1325 Theatre Dr. in the Center for the Performing Arts on the Kent Campus.

For a complete concert and event schedule, visit www.kent.edu/music/events.

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Contact for media: 
Andrew Paa, Marketing Assistant
apaa@kent.edu, 330-672-0894 

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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