The Harding University Orchestra and Concert Choir collaborated to produce their second combination concert featuring a medley of Christmas classics.
The ensembles, under the direction of Dr. Michael Chance, assistant professor of music and director of bands, orchestra and coordinator of instrumental music, along with Dr. Kelly Neill, department of music chair and assistant professor of music, prepared diligently throughout the semester. The groups practice individual musical numbers and a collaborative piece that they would perform together.
The performance was the second of its kind. The idea for the concert originated in 2011.
“I believe we were looking forsomething new and outside the box for our students to do,” Chance said. “The idea of a holiday concert lends itself to an orchestra choral ensemble very well, so this combination was a natural goal in my mind.”
The concert was held Nov. 29 in the Administration Auditorium with a large audience of students, parents and friends. Concert Choir opened the evening with “Angels We Have Heard On High” and “Lux Aurumque” by Eric Whitacre. The orchestra performed “Concerto in ‘D’ Minor for Two Violins” by Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring soloists senior Lisa Petersburg and sophomore Laura Yates with continuo Dr. Lis Jones, instructor of music.
“The music for this concert was difficult for all players in the orchestra.Chance said he Bach piece was written for professional players 250 years ago and the “Feast of Carols” was written forthe Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Chorale. “I think the observable positive effect on the audience and the gratifying effect on our own musicians speaks volumes in terms of what has been gained.”
Though the works were challenging, they brought a new sense of perspective for both groups.
“It is a challenge to prepare a totally different concert after Lectureship and Homecoming events with Thanksgiving break in the middle of the process,” Neill said. “But it is a great experience working in a different context than our other events.”
Together, the groups performed “A Feast of Carols” by Randol Bass. The piece consisted of a Christmas medley featuring a wassailing tune, hymns and a finale of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
The Wind Ensemble accompanied the orchestra to create a full sound as the choir and instruments combined.
“Seeing the students grow from the point of struggling with notes and rhythms to the mountaintop experience ofgiving that now polished and beautiful melody or chord to the world is an awesome sight,” Chance said.
