Winter concert to feature Wilmington College’s choral and instrumental groups
Members rehearsing are, from the left, (front row) Malise Niyonizigiye, MJ Davis, Hannah Schroeder, Brynna Kirkpatrick and Niccole Lakes; and (back row) Bryce Stambaugh. (Submitted photo)
Wilmington College will observe the Christmas and holiday season with its annual Winter Concert featuring the College Chorale, Quaker Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Winds on Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m., in Heiland Theatre. The event is free of charge.
The Chorale, under the direction of Christopher Smith, will perform a mixture of choral styles, from the Nigerian hymn, “Betelehemu” and Bernice Johnson Reagon’s spiritual, “I Got Shoes,” to a number popularized by the group, Pentatonix, and voted on by members, “Mary, Did You Know?” The instrumental groups, which are conducted by Evan Hatter, will perform music composed by Vaughan Williams, Jimmy Van Heusen, Duke Ellington, Frank Mantooth and Billy Strayhorn, among others.
The College Chorale will debut a resurgence in its numbers compared to last spring, as Smith, in his inaugural year at WC, recruited heavily this fall to bolster the venerable ensemble’s membership to an even dozen — 13 when adding the director’s voice to the mix.
“It’s worked out well,” Smith said, noting the importance of musical ensembles at schools of all sizes. “It’s always nice for a college to have a choir. Such groups attract students interested in a hands-on experience and those capable of thinking at a high level. Music is a calling card at every institution.”
Smith, who grew up singing as a member of his family’s multi-generation gospel choir, studied classical music, performance and voice at Central State University and holds a master’s degree in voice from Miami University. He’s taught music in high schools and at Wilberforce University, and he will perform with Kentucky Opera in its upcoming December presentation of Eric Lichte’s All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.
He hopes that, in the near future, the Chorale will be able to present a concert, titled “Homegrown,” featuring the music of composers with Wilmington College connections. His longer-range ambition for the ensemble is to present a concert that debuts compositions by young Black composers.
Smith noted the Chorale members have bonded quickly this fall. During an early November retreat, they engaged in team-building exercises and discussed a desired group culture, which has fostered a greater sense of individual and collective confidence in performing.
“We are building a passionate group of young people who are ambassadors for the institution,” he added.