The Chorale and Troubadours will raise their voices with joyful songs for a Christmas Concert 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, in the De Mattias Performance Hall.
As the winter season quickly approaches, the Newman University Music Department is preparing a variety of celebratory, spirited songs.
Deanne Zogleman, director of the music department, is pleased with the progress that the choir has been making, and she is thrilled to share her students’ performance with a live audience once again.
“Last year, we weren’t able to do a concert — we did record four songs and they were released on the Newman website and Facebook four weeks before Christmas, but it was not the same by any means with no audience,” Zogleman said.
Tickets for the Christmas Concert will be sold at the door. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for college-aged students and below, free for Newman students who show their student I.D.
A community-building chorus
Zogleman said that these concerts are a great way to promote Newman’s music department.
After canceling a children’s choir scheduled to perform because of vaccination concerns, Zogleman said, “we are going to do our performance of Christmas carols with Chorale and Troubs, with a special appearance of the other chorus I direct — a few of my Heart of America Men’s Chorus, which has alums from Newman.”
The choir will also give the audience a sneak peak at their upcoming musical, “Big Fish.”
Members of the choir are also delighted at the chance to give the gift of music to a live audience. Sophomore Austin Fullerton, a member of the Newman cross country team, and senior Rebekah Lipinski shared some of their thoughts on the concert’s musical selection as well as the art of singing itself.
“I love singing because it is an opportunity to explore the voice God has given me,” said Fullerton. “What I enjoy most about singing is simply practicing and getting better. I like to relate singing to athletics, in the sense that I may not be the most talented singer, but with determination, persistence and coaching I can break barriers and improve.”
From the funny to the familiar, the lineup of musical arrangements is sure to leave the audience humming along.
“I think the music is fun this year,” commented Lipinski. “Several of the songs are very acting heavy, which makes them very enjoyable to work on and watch. I also really love being around all the people in choir. We’ve got a really great bunch this year.”
Music as a must-have
Lipinski, a theater and business management major, believes that music will have a lifelong presence in her world.
“I personally believe the art of song is so important,” she said. “I always turn to music when I’m in a tough place, whether I need a break from studying or I’m just having an awful day. Music is very therapeutic.”
Both students encourage friends, families and all of the Newman community to see the show, as it will support the music department and brighten their Sundays with the sound of music.
“People should give themselves a break from their normal routine and come see the show,” Fullerton said. “It’s useful to explore a variety of entertainment, gaining appreciation and knowledge of different arts. After all, our choir only puts on concerts a few times a year, and the Christmas Concert we’ve got planned for Dec. 5 is going to be just plain fun!”
Mark your calendars for future shows by the music department such as “Big Fish” from Feb. 3-6 and the annual spring show from April 21-23.
Newman Chorale welcomes home veterans of Kansas Honor Flight
The Newman University Chorale recently sang two welcoming performances of “God Bless America” to veterans as they returned to Wichita on the Kansas Honor Flight.
The Kansas Honor Flight is an organization of volunteers who work to honor Kansas veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War by giving them an all-expense-paid trip to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C.
