Christmas carols, centuries-old choral works, classic favorites and songs from South Africa will fill Northwestern University’s main performance hall and Evanston campus chapel when NU’s music school celebrates the holiday season with four festive concerts.
The following music events will take place at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, or Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, as noted.
- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 — Robert A. Boyd and Thomas Tropp will conduct the University Singers and University Chorus in a concert of choral music for the holiday season in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Amy Pohl will guest conduct and the featured pianist will be Jerad Mosbey. The program includes works by Francisco Guerrero, Healey Willan, Zoltan Kodaly, Maurice Goldman and John Rutter. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid IDs.
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 — Robert G. Hasty will conduct the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra in a holiday program at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall that includes Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves,’” Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in G Minor (“Christmas Concerto”), Respighi’s “Trittico Botticelliano” and Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 1 from “The Nutcracker.” Tickets are $8 for the general public and $5 for students with valid IDs.
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 — Bienen School of Music choral ensembles and the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra will present two performances of the 72nd Annual Christmas Concert in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The program includes “Magnificat” by Bach and “Gloria,” an original composition by Northwestern’s director of choral organizations, Robert A. Harris. Harris is active as a choral conductor, composer, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad. He will lead the ensembles in the performance of both works. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $6 for students with valid IDs.
- 10:40 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 — Northwestern’s Alice Millar Chapel will host the “A Festival of Lessons and Carols.” Conducted by Stephen Alltop, the program features performances by the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, Northwestern University Philharmonia, Millar Brass Ensemble and faculty oboist Michael Henoch. This popular holiday concert combines readings and musical works that portray the story of Christmas. Ranging from early baroque to contemporary, the carol settings for brass, strings, organ and choir include Nelhybel’s “Estampie natalis” and Gabrieli’s “Magnificat a 14” for three choirs. Paul Carey’s arrangement of “I Saw Three Ships,” Jeffrey Rickard’s “When Christ was Born” and music from South Africa also are on the program. Admission is a freewill offering.
For more information, call the Pick-Staiger Concert Office at (847) 491-5441 or visit www.pickstaiger.org. To order tickets, call the Pick-Staiger Ticket Office at (847) 467-4000 or visit www.pickstaiger.org.
Top: Northwestern’s Alice Millar Chapel will host the “A Festival of Lessons and Carols.” Conducted by Stephen Alltop, the program features performances by the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, Northwestern University Philharmonia, Millar Brass Ensemble and faculty oboist Michael Henoch.