SU Winter Music Festival Continues Through Tuesday, December 9

SALISBURY, MD---From a patriotic salute and American jazz to classical selections and holiday favorites, Salisbury University presents its annual Winter Music Festival, “Music that Dances, Prances and Romances,” November 15-December 9.

All performances are 7:30 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium.

The Salisbury Chorale and University Chorale, directed by Dr. William Folger, inaugurate the series Saturday, November 15, with the three-part performance “Peace, Parody and Patriotism.” “Peace” includes the traditional English carol “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,” as well as Gjeilo’s hymn “Ubi Caritas” and Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium.” Favorites from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance and Ruddigore, or the Witch’s Curse represent “Parody,” while “Patriotism” features an armed forces medley and all four verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on its 200th anniversary. Other concert selections include “Tonight” from Bernstein’s West Side Story.

The series continues with the SU Percussion Ensemble, directed by Eric Shuster, and World Drum Ensemble, directed by Ted Nichols, on Thursday, November 20. The Percussion Ensemble performs Harrison’s “Canticle No. 1,” considered one of the earliest percussion ensemble works, as well as Bergamo’s “The Grand Ambulation of the B-Flat Zombies.” The World Drum Ensemble’s selections include rhythms from Cuba, Brazil and West Africa, as well as a Taiko drumming demonstration and body percussion work.

The mood shifts to the feel of an intimate jazz club when the SU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jerry Tabor, takes the stage Thursday, December 4, in Holloway Hall Auditorium. The ensemble performs Fambrough’s “Little Man,” Bricusse and Newley’s “Who Can I Turn To?,” Jobim’s “One-Note Samba” and Average White Band’s “Pick Up the Pieces,” as well as several Latin works.

The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Jeffrey Schoyen, performs a “Holiday Concert with a Gypsy Flair” on Saturday, December 6. Guest solo violinist Igor Kalnin joins the orchestra for the evening. The concert includes selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and “Melodie” from Souvenir d’un Lieu Cher, as well as Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Ravel’s “Tzigane” and Sarasate’s “Ziguenerweisen.” Admission is $20, $15 for seniors age 60 and older, and $5 for non-SU students and SU faculty and staff. SU student ID holders receive one ticket free. Advance tickets are available online at www.SalisburySymphonyOrchestra.org and at the Information Desk of the Guerrieri University Center.

The festival concludes with the Salisbury Pops’ annual Family Holiday Concert on Tuesday, December 9, in Holloway Hall Auditorium. Directed by Lee Knier, the evening includes Christmas classics ranging from the sacred — “O Holy Night and O Come All Ye Faithful” — to the secular — “Santa Baby” and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” The one-hour show also features a visit from Santa Claus. Donations are accepted at the concert for the Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Campaign.

Sponsored by the Department of Music, admission to all performances is free unless otherwise noted. The public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6385 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.