In a year during which the Music Studies program at The College at Brockport is highlighting female composers, the Brockport College-Community Chorus’ “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert will feature several songs composed by women, including Molly Ijames’ setting of “Here We Come a-Caroling” and Lisa Loeb’s celebration of Chanukah, “Light.” The concert will be held on Sunday evening, December 8, at the First Presbyterian Church of Brockport, 35 State Street, Brockport. Tickets for the concert, which begins at 7:30 pm, cost $5, and will be sold at the door. For information, call 395-2787.
While programming the concert, music director Elizabeth Banner took measures to include pieces written by women, including Jean Berger’s new version of “What Sweeter Music Can We Bring,” as well as many other beloved carols and songs, old and new, such as “Mary, Did You Know?,” “Good Christian Men, Rejoice,” “Winter Wonderland,” and even Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” Banner confides that she “found a vocal arrangement of ‘Sleigh Ride’ that rivals what we all think of when we think of the song, which is the Boston Pops’ rendition.” What is really energizing Banner during this busy season is the concept of “collaboration. It has bloomed in the confines of the music studies program itself, but also amongst the students, who have really stepped up within the group. Most heartening is to see the ‘College’ and ‘Community’ portions of the chorus working together, sharing what they love to do.”
The concert will conclude, as always, with the Darmon Meader arrangement of “Silent Night,” during which the audience will be able to sing along with the Chorus itself.
More information about The College at Brockport’s Fine Arts Series can be found at Facebook, or at brockport.edu/academics/fine_arts. The concert caps a weekend of holiday fun throughout the village of Brockport. For information about these events, visit brockportny.org/news/events.
Provided information and photo
