The Fairfield University Glee Club, under the baton of Conductor Carole Ann Maxwell, will herald the holiday season with its annual Christmas concert, "Awake the Glorious Sounds," on Friday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m., in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Riverside. The group's two concerts at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts are already sold out.

The Glee Club, accompanied by Galen Tate, organist and director of music at St. Thomas More Church, Darien, will premiere a new work, "Salutations to the Dawn," a choral song-cycle at the advent of the new millennium. The piece, written specifically for the Glee Club by Randol Alan Bass, was commissioned under the auspices of Fairfield University's Campus Ministry, Rev. Paul E. Carrier, S.J., university chaplain.

Also on the program are: "Choral Fanfare for Christmas," by Ron Nelson; "Night of Silence," by Daniel Kantor; "What Sweeter Music," and "Deck the Hall," by John Rutter; "And Suddenly," by Gerard Finzi; and "Joy to the World," the grand finale.

The Fairfield University Glee Club continues a 50-year musical legacy. The mixed chorus of more than 130 singers is the parent organization of four additional choral ensembles: the acclaimed Chamber Singers who will sing "Serenissima Una Noche" in Spanish; the Men's Ensemble, known for their comedy routines, who will be accompanied by Michael Ciavaglia and directed by Christopher Jack and Michael Rubin.

Also, the Sine Nomine Singers, the resident quartet, will feature soprano Kathleen Corrigan, alto Amy Mattulina, tenor Patrick Dorion and bass Mark Weldon; and Sweet Harmony, accompanied by Angela Weston and directed by Elena Carrington and Allison Morrow, will also perform. These men and women have made a serious commitment to choral excellence, while developing a unique espirt de corps that has become a hallmark of their performances.

Carole Ann Maxwell, conductor of choral and liturgical music at Fairfield University, is one of America's preeminent conductors of collegiate, community and professional choral ensembles. She also serves as the artistic director and conductor of the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut and the chorus master for Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra and the Yale Opera.

Tickets to the concert are $8, if purchased in advance, $10 at the door. They may be reserved by calling (203) 637-3661.

Posted On: 11-11-2000 09:11 AM

Volume: 33 Number: 84