VSU Choirs Present Holiday Concert in the West Hall Rotunda Dec. 7

~2014-2015 is the Year of the Arts at Valdosta State University~

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State University Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, Chamber Singers, and Spotlighters will conduct their annual holiday candlelight concert in the West Hall Rotunda on Sunday, Dec. 7. Performances will begin at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.

“This is our favorite performance of the year,” said Dr. Paul A. Neal, a Department of Music associate professor and director of the university’s Choral Studies Program. “The holidays provide such wonderful songs and carols, and the West Hall Rotunda provides the absolute best acoustic for the choirs.”

The holiday concert will feature traditional German, Austrian, French, English, and Welsh carols, along with a few seasonal classics.

The Women’s Choir will perform “In dulci jubilo,” a traditional German carol; “Still, Still, Still,” a traditional Austrian carol; “Ave Maria,” composed by David MacIntyre; and Rosephanye Powell’s “Ogo ni fun Oluwa.”

The Men’s Choir will perform “March of the Kings,” a traditional French carol; “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” a traditional English carol; “Gloria Ad Modum Tubae,” composed by Guillaume Dufay; and “Ave Maria,” composed by Franz Biebl.

The Spotlighters will perform a series of beloved holiday favorites, Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmas Time Is Here,” Richard Bob Greene’s “50 Kilowatt Tree,” and “The First Noel,” a traditional English carol.

The Chamber Singers will be the last to perform. Their lineup features “Deck the Halls,” a traditional Welsh carol; “Motets pour le temps de Noël,” composed by Francis Poulenc; “There is no Rose of Such Virtue,” composed by Stephen Caracciolo; and “Noel,” composed by Todd Smith. In keeping with tradition, they will close the concert with “Silent Night,” composed by Franz Gruber.

“When the Chamber Singers circle the audience in the final piece of the program, the hustle and bustle of the season literally stops for that moment. It is glorious,” Neal said.

The holiday concert will be conducted by Neal and Kevin Jackson, Choral Studies Program graduate assistant, and will feature Department of Music students Brian McMillan and Leslie Smith on guitar and djembe, respectively.

Tickets for the annual holiday concert are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Visit https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/team.asp?sponsorid=7237 or contact Sarah Alexander with VSU’s College of Arts Outreach Office at (229) 333-2150 or swalexander@valdosta.edu to reserve tickets

Proceeds from the Sunday performance will benefit an international tour planned for the Chamber Singers in 2017.

Contact Dr. Paul A. Neal at (229) 333-5812 or paneal@valdosta.edu to learn more.

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The university choral program's annual holiday concert meets the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 2: Increase financial support for the institution. 

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.