JMU Musical Ensembles Commence Holiday Season with Dec. 2 Concert

From: Public Affairs

November 29, 2007

HARRISONBURG — The James Madison University Brass Band, Chorale and Symphony Orchestra will join to present Holidayfest, one of the Shenandoah Valley's oldest traditional holiday concerts.

DATE: Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007
TIME: 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Wilson Hall Auditorium, JMU

The JMU Brass Band, under the direction of Kevin J. Stees, will perform seasonal music to begin the concert.

The JMU Chorale will present "Carol of the Bells," arranged by Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovich, and "The Blessed Son of God" by Ralph Vaughan Williams under the direction of student conductor Laura Layman. The vocal ensemble will perform Gloria in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi with the Holidayfest Orchestra, featuring musicians from the JMU Symphony Orchestra.

Also on the program is an arrangement of "The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite IV" by Robert Shaw, featuring the chorale and the symphony orchestra. In the traditional conclusion of the Holidayfest concert, the audience will be invited to join in singing "Silent Night" with the chorale.

Patrick M. Walders directs the chorale and Robert D. McCashin directs the symphony orchestra.

In addition to performing in the concert, JMU Chorale members decorate the auditorium with trees, wreaths and other embellishments, to create a seasonal scene for the annual performances.

Holidayfest tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for children under 12, senior citizens and JACard holders. Advance tickets and ticket information can be obtained through JMU's Masterpiece Season box office at 540-568-7000 or 877-201-7543 (toll free). The box office is located in Room 1107, Harrison Hall, and is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

JMU Public Affairs contact: Janet Smith, 540-568-8008 or smithlj@jmu.edu.

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