Hallelujah enthusiasts have two opportunities to participate: Friday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 9 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.
The Symphony itself performs contrasting works by Hector Berlioz (big and bold) and Claude Debussy (short and delicate) before priming the holiday spirit with Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” in its original but seldom heard full orchestral version.
Then, the community singers of Humboldt Chorale and the HSU University Singers join the Symphony for Franz Schubert’s Mass in G, featuring three vocal soloists: Dylan Kinser, Katherine Johnson and James Gadd. “Schubert harkens back to his famous predecessors, J.S. Bach and Mozart in this work,” says Symphony conductor Paul Cummings. “Parts of this Mass are considered to be among Schubert’s best writing—and he was only 18 when he wrote it.”
Then, the Symphony performs the overture to The Messiah by George Frideric Handel, and the choir joins in for two choruses: “Glory to God in the Highest” and “Hallelujah,” with the original orchestral instrumentation as Handel wrote it.
“We’re excited to invite the audience to join us in the singing of the Hallelujah chorus at the end of the program,” Cummings said. “We hope to see everybody on their feet for what has become a great holiday tradition around the world.”
This holiday concert is performed on Dec. 7 and 9 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors and free to HSU students with an ID from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. The Humboldt Symphony is conducted by Paul Cummings, Humboldt Chorale is directed by Carol Ryder and University Singers are directed by Harley Muilenburg. Produced by the HSU Music Department. For more information, visit www.hsumusic.blogspot.com.