Christmas is right around the corner and holiday activities and events are abundant at Newman University. One staple of the holiday season on campus is the annual Christmas Chorale Concert, which will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in the De Mattias Performance Hall.
The 38 Chorale students directed by Deanne Zogleman will be joined by the Newman Instrumental Ensemble under the direction of Cindy Thompson along with special guests from Mulvane High School’s ensemble, Esprit de Corps. The concert is titled “O Holy Night” and will include traditional, classical Christmas favorites.
The Newman community looks forward to this event each year.
Senior Blake Lee has been a part of both Chorale and the Troubadours, a select Newman singing group, for four years. Singing at Newman is something he has always appreciated.
Lee said, “What I enjoy most about being a part of this group is getting to come together with all my closest friends and make beautiful music that might help lift the spirits of someone who needs to hear it.”
He said he is looking forward to one song in particular at this year’s performance.
“The gentlemen in Chorale are singing a song called ‘Christmas Can-Can’ by the acapella group Straight No Chaser,” he said. “It’s a hoot and one of my favorite songs I’ve sung while at Newman.”
Singer and sophomore Sara Zogleman has also picked out a personal favorite, “Fruitcakes,” performed by the Troubadours.
“We have so much fun with it,” she said. She added that the finale is something else she always enjoys.
“We always end with our tradition of singing ‘O Holy Night,’ which is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.”
Lee added, “With this concert, since we had our alumni concert this year, we are inviting all former Chorale members onto the stage to sing this song with us, as well as the guest high school that is coming in, so I’m so excited for that.”
The evening doesn’t end with the last song sung on stage — the audience and Chorale sing carols together in the atrium following the show. Zogleman said it makes it feel like one big Newman family.
Dyana Baca has been in Chorale for three years and her favorite part of performances is always the audience reactions.
“I love the effect that the Chorale as a whole has on those who go to the concerts. It always makes me very happy when I see the audience’s reactions and emotions both on and off stage,” she said.
Zogleman said, “Our annual Christmas concert is always a crowd favorite whether they are laughing or being brought to tears by the beautiful music to celebrate the season.”
The box office will open at 2:15 p.m. the day of the concert. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, $5 for faculty, staff and ASC. Newman students are free with student ID.
