Whitworth choirs to present 2010 Christmas Festival Concert, "Heaven and Nature Sing"
November 15, 2010
The 2010 Whitworth University Christmas Festival Concert, "Heaven and Nature Sing," will take place in Bellevue, Seattle and Spokane, featuring the Whitworth Choir, the Whitworth Women's Choir, and the Whitworth Men's Chorus. More than 120 students will serve as singers, instrumentalists, and narrators. For more information, please call (509) 777-3280.
The concert theme, "Heaven and Nature Sing," will be illustrated through choral works, spoken word, and carols for audience and choirs. Presented without interruption, the ever-popular concert will be concluded in candlelight.
Musical selections will include Marc A. Hafso's "Lord, You Have Searched Me Out," Wilbur Chenoweth's sweeping setting of "Of the Father’s Love Begotten" for mixed chorus and organ, baroque composer Niccola Porpora's "Magnificat" for women's voices and string ensemble, David Meece's "One Small Child" for men's voices, Eric Whitacre's moving setting of "Lux Aurumque," English composer Richard Rodney Bennett's "Susanni" and "Sweet Was the Song," and Vaclav Nelhybel's joyful "Estampie Natalis."
The Whitworth Choir will perform under the direction of Marc A. Hafso, professor of music and director of choral activities. Deborah Hansen, associate director of choral activities and chair of the music department, will direct the Whitworth Women's Choir. Scott Miller, assistant professor of music, will direct the Whitworth Men's Chorus. Mac Merchant and Mary Trotter will serve as accompanists, along with organist John Bodinger.
Following is concert and ticket information for each performance location:
Joan Lack or Loree Swegle, music department program assistants, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3280 or jlack@whitworth.edu or lswegle@whitworth.edu.
Emily Proffitt, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.
The concert theme, "Heaven and Nature Sing," will be illustrated through choral works, spoken word, and carols for audience and choirs. Presented without interruption, the ever-popular concert will be concluded in candlelight.
Musical selections will include Marc A. Hafso's "Lord, You Have Searched Me Out," Wilbur Chenoweth's sweeping setting of "Of the Father’s Love Begotten" for mixed chorus and organ, baroque composer Niccola Porpora's "Magnificat" for women's voices and string ensemble, David Meece's "One Small Child" for men's voices, Eric Whitacre's moving setting of "Lux Aurumque," English composer Richard Rodney Bennett's "Susanni" and "Sweet Was the Song," and Vaclav Nelhybel's joyful "Estampie Natalis."
The Whitworth Choir will perform under the direction of Marc A. Hafso, professor of music and director of choral activities. Deborah Hansen, associate director of choral activities and chair of the music department, will direct the Whitworth Women's Choir. Scott Miller, assistant professor of music, will direct the Whitworth Men's Chorus. Mac Merchant and Mary Trotter will serve as accompanists, along with organist John Bodinger.
Following is concert and ticket information for each performance location:
- Bellevue
Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way NE - Seattle
Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Seattle, 1013 8th Ave. - Spokane
Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Spokane, 318 S. Cedar St.
Tickets: $18 general admission, $15 for students and seniors 62 and older. Tickets may be purchased by calling (800) 532-4668, online at www.whitworth.edu/musictickets or at the information desk in the Hixson Union Building at Whitworth. A limited number of tickets may also be available for purchase at the door prior to each concert.
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Joan Lack or Loree Swegle, music department program assistants, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3280 or jlack@whitworth.edu or lswegle@whitworth.edu.
Emily Proffitt, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.
