SSU Chorale/ChamberChoir Performs December 5 at Asbury Church

SALISBURY, MD--Celebrate the holiday season with Salisbury State University's Chorale/Chamber Choir in a program of traditional Christmas music on Sunday, December 5, at 4 p.m., in Asbury United Methodist Church (immediately south of campus). Admission is free and the public is invited. A free-will offering will be held during the concert to benefit the Jospeh House and Christian Shelter Inc. of Salisbury.

The 80-member Chorale/Chamber Choir is conducted by Dr. Michael J. Weber with accompaniment by Susan Zimmer, and a special 12-member brass/percussion ensemble. Highlights of the program include Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols," Daniel Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata" and a community sing-along of Conrad Susa's "A Christmas Garland."

The brass/percussion ensemble includes SSU faculty member Kelly O'Bryant on tuba and alumni Amanda Johnson on percussion, Niko Iampieri on trumpet and Tom Cheezum on trombone. Cheezum is currently a student at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, as are several other members of the ensemble, which also includes SSU student musicians. The ensemble will play for both the "Christmas Cantata" and the sing-along.

The 90-minute program has such holiday favorites as "Carol of the Bells," "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "I Wonder as I Wander" and "Silent Night."

Weber, who is SSU's director of vocal studies, earned his D.M.A. in choral conducting from the University of Arizona. He has taught in the North Dakota public school system and prior to coming to SSU was director of choirs at the Victoria College, TX.

Zimmer holds a master's from the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music. She is director of music at Wicomico Presbyterian Church.

For more information on the holiday concert call the SSU Public Relations Office at 410-543-6030.