SU presents 'Oh, What Fun: A Family Festival of Music'
SALISBURY, MD---From the melding of voices with bells in traditional holiday favorites, to cool jazz, beloved classics and popular movie music, Salisbury University presents “Oh, What Fun: A Family Festival of Music” December 1-8.
All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium.
The holiday festival launches Saturday, December 1, with the University and Salisbury chorales, led by Dr. William Folger and featuring the renowned hand bell choir Capital Ringers. Founder and SU alumna Linda Simms serves as the Ringers’ artistic director.
The hand bells usher in the season with representative selections: a French carol, “Sing We Now of Christmas”; “Jolly Old St. Nicholas”; and “Wizards in Winter,” written by members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. All are illustrated by animated projections. Chorale highlights include the traditional “In dulci jubilo,” “The Sleigh (Á La Russe)” by Richard Kountz and “Hanukkah Blessings.” Choristers and ringers combine to perform holiday selections culminating with “Ring Out, Ye Bells!”
Admission is $12; $9 for seniors 62+, SU alumni and all students. Advance tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 410-543-6228, at the SU Box Office (Fulton Hall Room 100, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.).
The Salisbury Pops combines festive music, a sleigh, Santa Claus and snow for a family-style program Tuesday, December 4.
Under the direction of Lee Knier, the Pops features seasonal favorites “Christmas Day” by Gustav Holst (with guest baritone soloist William Willis); “Waltz of the Flowers” from the Nutcracker Suite; “The Toy Trumpet” by Raymond Scott (featuring soloist Bill Kraus); and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” As in past years, donations will be accepted at the concert for the Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Campaign.
The SU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jerry Tabor, presents a program of classical and contemporary jazz on Thursday, December 6. Featured selections include “Wildwood” by Gigi Gryce (of Clifford Brown Quintet fame); Curtis Fuller’s “Three Blind Mice”; Bobby Watson’s “For Children of All Ages”; and an original composition by Tabor, “An Opening in the Sky,” with the composer on guitar.
Admission to the Pops and Jazz Ensemble concerts is free.
The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, featuring soprano Melissa Harvey and guest conductor Zachary Stachowski, concludes the festival with its annual Holiday Concert, “Winter Holiday Is in the Aire!” on Saturday, December 8.
Harvey joins the orchestra performing “Rusalka” (“Song to the Moon”) by Antonin Dvorák, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and “Allelujah” from Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate (Rejoice, Be Glad), K. 165. Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 2, and music from the animated film Frozen by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez continue the wintery theme.
Admission is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 60+, $10 for SU faculty and staff, $5 for all students. Advance tickets may be purchased online or by calling 410-543-8366.
The festival is sponsored by the Music, Theatre and Dance Department. For more information call 410-548-5588 or visit the SU website.