The Fairfield University Glee Club and Saint Michael's College Chorale - Vermont join forces to present "Music for a Winter Afternoon" on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 3:00 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts.

With Carole Ann Maxwell, D.S.M. conducting the University Glee Club, Nathaniel G. Lew as Saint Michael's chorale director and Michael Ciavaglia as guest conductor, Beth Palmer accompanies the group in a richly diverse program.

Saint Michael's Chorale introduces a few of the many musical treatments of "Hallelujah," from Psalm 150 to the Ashkenazi Jewish melody to an African American spiritual version, arranged by Robert De Cormier.

The Glee Club begins with Sharon MacCallum's arrangement of the Fairfield University Alma Mater. Tenor Ralph Belvedere solos in a Pavel Chesnokov piece done in Church Slavonic and the ensemble sings "Ye Shall Have a Song" by Adolphus Hailstork. The Chamber Singers bring forth Marvin Curtis' "Praising Song" and a German rendition of Felix Mendelssohn's "Die Nachtigall Op. 59, No. 4," ending the segment with Kurt Bestor's "Prayer of the Children." Paul Caldwell's and Sean Ivory's "Hope for Resolution," featuring Johanna Cuevas, Flute Scott Duncan and Djembe, restore the full ensemble.

The soaring voices of the combined choirs end the concert on a joyful note with Randall Thompson's "Alleluia" and the glorious "Hallelujah" from Handel's "Messiah."

The Saint Michael's College Chorale continues a tradition of singing that goes back over 50 years at the College, which was founded in 1904 by the Society of St. Edmund and is located in Burlington, Vermont. The ensemble sings regularly at College functions and Vermont churches.

Tickets are $10 general, $6 students and are available at quickcenter.com or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. Sign up at quickcenter.com to receive emails for special offers and discounts for Quick Center shows.

Posted On: 02-09-2009 10:02 AM

Volume: 41 Number: 211