The Maryville College Concert Choir, Off Kilter, Lads and Lassies will present a “Celtic Christmas Concert” on Dec. 3 and 4.
Both concerts will begin at 7 p.m. in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Clayton Center Box Office or by calling 865.981.8590.
The program will feature traditional British Christmas music, including “The First Noel” (English), “Wexford Carol” (Irish), “Christ Child’s Lullaby” (Scottish) and “Deck the Halls” (Welsh).
Guest instrumentalists include Dr. Sheri Matascik, MC associate professor of music, on guitar; Marsha Wynn, MC advancement services and campaign manager, on dulcimer; MC senior Amber Nejme ’16 on marimba; MC senior Josh Sumter ’16 on organ and recorder; and several student members of the Orchestra at Maryville College, who will perform during “Candlelight Carol.”
Stacey Murphy Wilner, director of choral activities at Maryville College, said the concert theme is in keeping with the May 2016 choir tour destination of Scotland, adding that the choir will sing a piece in Gaelic, “Codail A LinBh” (Sleep Peacefully My Child), which is an ancient melody and text set by Irish composer Michael McGlynn.
“The audience will enjoy the beautiful modal sound that is characteristic of music of the British Isles, for it is the same tonal quality found traditional Appalachian folk music,” Wilner said. “Dr. Sheri Matascik is a wonderful classical guitarist, and her playing style will bring a lot of authenticity to the program. Marsha Wynn will delight everyone with her dulcimer playing. Student percussionist Amber Nejme will be featured on the department’s new marimba and will add a ‘bell-like’ quality to several selections. The program will end with the Concert Choir accompanied by student musicians of the orchestra singing by candlelight. It will be an evening that is sure to bring in the Christmas spirit.”
The Maryville College Concert Choir, directed by Wilner, is an auditioned ensemble of 50 singers that performs choral literature of many styles. Off Kilter, also directed by Wilner, is a small auditioned ensemble comprised of upperclassmen. The Lads and Lassies were formed in the fall of 2011 from student interest and initiative; the Lads is a men’s ensemble directed by Alan Eleazer, and the Lassies is a women’s ensemble directed by Ashley Abbott.
For more information, please contact Maryville College’s Division of Fine Arts at 865.981.8150.
The Maryville College Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Christy Lee, and the Maryville College Community Chorus, led by Alan Eleazer, will present a concert of holiday standards and traditional carols on Mon., Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre.
The concert will be the debut performance for the newly-formed Maryville College Chamber Players. Consisting of both music majors and non-music majors and directed by Lee, the Maryville College Chamber Players are MC students that are committed to fostering an ongoing love of music.
Tickets are $5 for adults, seniors and area students. Admission is free for MC students, faculty and staff with ID, although a printed ticket is required for admission. To purchase tickets, please contact the Clayton Center Box Office at 865.981.8590 or visit claytonartscenter.com.
The program will include “The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite IV,” “Coventry Carol,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and James Pierpont’s “Jingle Bells at the Equator,” among others. “This program promises to be a favorite for all ages during the holiday season,” Lee said.
Christmas Open House
The Blount County Chapter of the Maryville College Alumni Association will host a Christmas Open House on Mon., Dec. 7 from 4:30 until 7 p.m. in Willard House on the MC campus. Maryville College alumni and friends are invited to enjoy beautiful Christmas decorations, delicious baked goods and holiday music. Bring your camera for photos with Santa from 4:30 until 6 p.m.!