A 31-year tradition continues this month when "Christmas at Concordia" brings together every student ensemble for a holiday music extravaganza in the university's Chapel of The Christ Triumphant, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon.
Over 1,600 people are expected to attend the two concerts replete with holiday favorites that begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1. “Christmas at Concordia has truly become one of the seasonal, cultural events of the North Shore,” noted music department chair Dr. Louis Menchaca. “A ticket is hard to come by.”
While individual selections by The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, The Alleluia Ringers, Kammerchor, Selah and other ensembles will highlight the musicale, Menchaca indicated the most remarkable moment of the evening still comes when all 450 musicians join with the audience.
Menchaca, in his 26th year at Concordia, conducts The Jazz Ensemble, The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and The String Ensemble/Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Alexa Doebele directs Kammerchor, the university’s touring voice choir, Selah, a select women’s choir of 26 voices, and The Chapel Choir, which combines students, faculty and staff.
The Alleluia Ringers, The Chapel Ringers and The Civic Chorale, a mixed choir comprised of CUW students and community members, are directed by Assistant Professor Mark Bloedow, while Johanna Anderson, associate director of instrumental music, conducts the university band.
Among traditional selections scheduled to be performed are:
Carol of the Bells and The Little Drummer Boy – The Alleluia Ringers; I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – The Jazz Ensemble; Coventry Carol/Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring – The Symphonic Wind Ensemble; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and He Is Born – The Chapel Ringers; A Vaughan Williams Christmas – The University Band; and Shepherd’s Pipe Carol – The Civic Chorale.
Adult tickets cost $15, while youths 17 and under are admitted free. Everyone attending needs a ticket. To reserve them in advance, call 262-243-4243 or e-mail music.department@cuw.edu. Advance tickets may be purchased and picked up an hour before each performance via a credit card at www.cuw.edu/christmasconcert.
For further details on Concordia’s music programs or upcoming concerts, visit cuw.edu/music. To reserve tickets, call the automated ticket hotline at 262-243-4444. Follow the CUW Music Department Facebook page here.
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