The Newman University Music Department will present the Christmas Choral Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, in the Performance Hall located in the DeMattias Fine Arts Center. The concert, named “A Classic Christmas … Kind Of,” will include special guests, the Bishop Carroll Catholic High School Madrigals. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students, and free for Newman students with I.D.
“We’ve decided to do a more classical style, but then I found, when I was looking for songs, all these really fun (songs) like “Crazy Christmas Classics,“ that are these funny things about ugly Christmas sweaters, eating too much, and family problems at Christmas that are all set to these classical music pieces,” explained Director of Music Deanne Zogleman. “And that’s how it (the concert) got its name: ‘A Classic Christmas … Kind Of.'”
Troubadour member Diana Stanley commented, “I like the theme. I think it appeals to a broad, wide variety of people.” Student Sarah Crook adds, “It’s not your classic Christmas.”
Instructor of Piano and Organ Carole Pracht said, “Christmas programs are the best! Everybody is excited about Christmas music and we have huge crowds, so it’s very exciting and so much fun. It’s the best of the many moods of Christmas, from the most sacred to the hilarious.”
Songs in the Christmas concert include a wacky, fun twist to Peter Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Mirlitons,” and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” and “Jingle Bells Rondo,” based on his composition, “Rondo all Turca.” Also, the more classical songs such as “Veni, Veni Emmanuel,” “People, Look East,” and “Sing Noel, Alleluia!” will be performed, just to name a few.
“This concert is a mix of beautiful, classical renditions of carols as well as our traditional ‘O’ Holy Night,’ but also has a fun twist on some Christmas classics that you’ve heard before,” said Zogleman. “It’s the perfect break from the hustle and bustle at Christmas time where you can come laugh and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in song.”
