Cal U musicians ready for holiday concerts
California University of Pennsylvania’s student musicians are tuning up for holiday performances.
Jazz ensembles under the direction of Dr. Frank Stetar will perform holiday tunes and an assortment of jazz melodies at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Performance Center, inside the Natali Student Center.
The Young and Gifted Gospel Choir, directed by Dr. Randy Tillmutt, will perform its fall concert at 5 p.m. Dec. 2, in Old Main Chapel. The performance will include African folk songs and a selection of holiday favorites.
Both events are free and open to community.
At 8 p.m. Dec. 2, and 3 p.m. Dec. 3, the Cal U Choir will join the Washington Symphony Orchestra at Trinity High School, Washington, to sing several selections at “Ho Ho Ho with the WSO.”
Choir director Dr. Yugo Ikach, co-chair of Cal U’s Department of Music and Theatre, is the WSO’s music director and principal conductor.
The choir will perform Craig Courtney’s “A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas,” John Rutters’ “Angels’ Carol,” Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival,” and “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah.
In addition, Cal U Commercial Music Technology majors Kate Snyder, Meghan McPherson and Nick Linder will be soloists with the orchestra for Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Dreams of Fireflies.”
The California Singers vocal ensemble will be part of the “Christmaspalooza” celebration at Washington Crown Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 9.
For details about performances by Cal U musicians, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 724-938-4878 or email ikach@calu.edu, stetar@calu.edu or tillmutt@calu.edu.
Tickets for the Washington Symphony Orchestra are available online at www.washsym.org or by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS. Advance tickets for “Ho, Ho, Ho with the WSO” are available at Citizens Library and Peters Township Public Library; tickets also are available at the door. Cal U students with a valid CalCard are admitted free of charge to WSO concerts.