A program of choral music featuring the Wilkes University Chorus, Chamber Singers and the University Women’s Ensemble will be presented on Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 97 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. The concert is free and open to the public. Leesa Levy, visiting associate professor of music, will conduct the concert.
The Wilkes University Chamber Singers will perform an arrangement of “Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head” by John Jacob Niles. Other works to be performed are “Hodie, Christus natus est” by Healey Willan and “Stars I Shall Find” by David Dickau.
The Women’s Ensemble will perform an a capella piece written and composed by Levy, entitled “This Little Babe.”
The highlight of the afternoon concert will be a presentation of John Rutter’s “Magnificat.” This seven-movement work in Latin and English combines the exultation of Mary contemplating the nativity, with poetry and scripture celebrating Christ’s birth. The work will be accompanied by pianist Tsukasa Mizuguchi-Waltich.
Soloists for the concert include sopranos Shae-Lyn Briggs, Madison Gordon, Heather Collins, Michaela Catapano, Kaleigh Evans and Aariyana Gould; altos Olivia Schanbacher, Lauren Harner, Rylee Gaskill, Rachel Zayleskie and Sarah Lechak; tenors Matthew Stever, Caleb Lewie-Cepero, Stevie Burton and Zechariah Howard, tenor and Kevin Straka, bass.
The University Chorus is the University’s largest choral ensemble and is open to any member of the Wilkes community, by audition. The Chamber Singers is the University’s select vocal ensemble, and is open to any student member of the Wilkes University Chorus, by audition. The Chamber Singers typically perform a wide range of a cappella repertoire, from Renaissance to contemporary music.
