SU Hosts Annual Winter Music Festival December 3-10

SALISBURY, MD---From classical and chamber works to jazz and sounds of the holidays, music fills the air during Salisbury University’s annual Winter Music Festival, “The Holidays with a Twist,” December 3-10.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium unless otherwise noted.

The Salisbury and University chorales, directed by Dr. William Folger, co-chair of the Music, Theatre and Dance Department, open the festival with the concert “Luminescence” Saturday, December 3. Highlights include Latvian composer Ešenvalds’ “Stars” for voice and crystal glasses, along with Chilcott’s “Nova! Nova!” and Rob Landes’ Images for choir and jazz trio, featuring pianist Alex Cooper, percussionist Becca Doughty and guest bassist Phil Ravita.

The evening also features the premiere of “Stella Clara” (“Star Light”) by Richard Waters, with text by Charles Anthony Silvestri. Admission is $12; $9 for seniors 62+, students and SU alumni.

The festival continues with three free concerts December 4-8. The SU Madrigal Choir, also directed by Folger, presents the concert “Seasonal Sonance” 4 p.m. Sunday, December 4, in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall. Jazz-inspired performances include three songs by George Gershwin: “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “I Got Rhythm”; as well as jazz and traditional versions of “Coventry Carol.” Other selections include Paul Hindermith’s “Puisque tout passe” from Six Chanson; and Willie Nelson’s “Crazy,” as popularized by Patsy Cline.

Guests abound during the Salisbury Pops’ annual Holiday Concert on Tuesday, December 6. Highlights include a reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known today as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by Dr. T. Paul Pfeiffer, longtime SU theatre faculty, accompanied by an arrangement by Randall Alan Bass.

SU senior Cornelius Fletcher returns for an encore of Albert Hague’s “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The SU a cappella group Squawkappella and University Brass Ensemble also perform. The full band plays holiday favorites including Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and A Christmas Festival, a medley Anderson originally arranged for the Boston Pops. The concert culminates with a visit from Santa Claus, who greets children from the audience following the show. Donations also are accepted for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign.

The festival continues with the SU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jerry Tabor, on Thursday, December 8. Guest percussionist Donald Edwards of the Charles Mingus Band and Opus 5 joins the ensemble’s two combos on three works, including two of his originals: “Tickle” and “Snow Child.”

The concert also features two original jazz fusion compositions by Tabor: “Throttle,” featuring SU percussionist Becca Doughty, and “Between Us.” Contemporary jazz pieces include Donald Brown’s “Waltz for Monk,” David Hazelton’s “Pearls,” Bobby Watson’s “What Can I Do for You?” and Victor Lewis’ “Big Girls.”

The festival culminates with the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra concert “A Fandango Holiday” with guest violinist Anton Miller on Saturday, December 10. Since his Carnegie Hall debut in 1992, Miller has appeared throughout the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Jeffrey Schoyen directs.

The program includes selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Sierra’s Fandangos and Moncayo’s Huapongo, among other selections.

Admission is $25, $20 for seniors age 60 and over, $5 for all students. Advance tickets are available at www.SalisburySymphonyOrchestra.org and at the Guerrieri University Center Information Desk. For more information call 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 at www.sailsbury.edu.