The Fairfield University Glee Club presents "Shout Hallelujah!" a Christmas Concert | Press Releases

The Fairfield University Glee Club with Festival Orchestra under the baton of Carole Ann Maxwell, D.S.M., presents "Shout Hallelujah!," its popular Christmas Concert at the Quick Center for the Arts on Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

The program features a variety of traditional and exotic seasonal music sung in English, French, Zulu, Latin and Church Slavonic by the full Glee Club with selections spotlighting Sweet Harmony, The Chamber Singers and the Men's Ensemble. Beth Palmer is the accompanist and Michael Ciavaglia '04 is guest conductor.

The full power of the Glee Club begins the concert with Piae Cantiones' Latin version of "Personent Hodie, Festival Processional" and Handel's "Joy to the World," followed by a Slavonic hymn featuring soloist tenors Ralph Belvedere and Bradley Fay. Sopranos Jessie Erwin and Liz Mercadante sing a familiar carol in French and "Hope for Resolution," a Zulu plea for protection against oppression features soloists Joanna Cuevos, flute, Bradley Fay and Scott Duncan, percussion with the ensemble voicing the song. The program switches gears to feature a familiar seasonal Irving Berlin song sung by mezzo soprano Anne Krane and it is Sweet Harmony - Lauren Wantuck and Jennifer Meuser, directors and the Men's Ensemble - Jonathan Haskins, director, that end the first half with the glory of Handel's "Messiah."

Leading off Part II, The Chamber Singers open with the traditional French carol, "Masters in This Hall." Then, tenor Eric Mayrhofer and soprano Jessie Erwin solo in duet with Tomas Luis de Victoria's "Ave Maria." Following several more expressive carols, four feminine narrators bring to life Daniel Kantor's "Night of Silence" and finally, the full ensemble delivers a stirring version of Handel's "Hallelujah" from the "Messiah: A Soulful Celebration."

Tickets are $10 general admission, $6 students and are available online at quickcenter.com or by calling (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit the website at quickcenter.com.