News

Winter Concert to Feature Three WC Choral Groups

College Chorale and College-Community Chorus to Join Forces on Rosephayne Powell Compositions

12/02/09

Wilmington College’s three choral groups will be featured Sunday (Dec. 6) when the Department of Music presents its annual Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Hugh G. Heiland Theatre.

Featured will be the Wilmington College Chorale, directed by Catherine Roma, the College-Community Chorus under the direction of Elizabeth Haskins and Voices in Praise, formerly known as the Gospel Choir, directed and accompanied by Cincinnati composer/arranger Steve Milloy.

A highlight of the program will be the combined forces of the College Chorale and College-Community Chorus performing two pieces composed by Dr. Rosephanye Powell, “Hallelujah, Christ Is Born” with piano and Latin instruments and “Glory Hallelujah To Duh Newbo’n King.”

Powell is a renowned composer that was honored by the College several years ago at its Festival of Women in Music and Art.

The College Chorale, accompanied by Rachel Kramer, will open the concert with several seasonal offerings.
“De Tierra Lejana,” sung in Spanish, describes the arrival of the majestic kings, while “Lo How a Rose/The Rose” is a “beautiful setting” of the Christmas carol with the familiar popular tune sung by Bette Midler, Roma said. “Some Children See Him” is the “well-loved, lush arrangement” of the Alfred Burt carol, set for cello and piano.

Also, the Chorale will reprise three of the students’ favorite pieces from the 19th Westheimer Peace Symposium in October.

“It is, after all, the season of light, gratitude, and hope — that we may beat our swords into plowshares and study war no more,” Roma said.

The peace theme includes Stevie Wonder’s “Conversation Peace,” Ron Jeffers’ “masterful combination” of two Civil War songs, “Workin’ for the Dawn of Peace,” and “We Are One” by Brian Tate.

Following intermission, the College-Community Chorus, accompanied by Ellen Clapp, continues a salute to Powell by singing three of her sacred works, “Ascribe to the Lord,” “Come unto Me” and “Gloria.”

Included in the chorus’ segment are seasonal favorites “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” arranged for men’s ensemble by Ron Jeffers, and “Carol of the Bells” by M. Leontovich.

Two new pieces will be premiered as well, “The Wexford Carol,” an arrangement for women’s ensemble by Robert J. Haskins, emeritus professor of music, and a composition dedicated to long-time chorus member T. Canby Jones titled “Dona Nobis Pacem” for mixed chorus, female soloists and handballs by Elizabeth Haskins.

In addition to the Powell numbers, also included in the Chorale and College-Community Chorus section of the program will be “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.” Kramer and junior Sara Douglas will perform the one-piano, four-hand accompaniment on that piece and “Glory Hallelujah To Duh Newbo’n King.”

Voices of Praise will perform “Rockin’ Jerusalem,” an African-American spiritual adapted and arranged by Steve Milloy; “This Holiday” by Milloy; and “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, arranged by Mervyn Warren, Michael O. Jackson and Mark Kibble, adapted by John Higgins.

Other Music Department events include the Collegium Musicum’s concert Dec. 10, at 12:15 p.m., in Harcum Art Gallery and department recitals Dec. 9 for voice students of Gina Beck and Dec. 11 for Rachel Kramer’s piano students. Both recitals will be at 12:15 p.m., in Kelly Center. Also, mezzo-soprano Beth Green will perform her senior voice recital Dec. 13, at 3 p.m , in Kelly Center.