Waynesburg University’s Symphonic Band and Lamplighters Concert Choir will hold a joint Christmas concert Dec. 10 in Roberts Chapel. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
It has been a new experience to work with musicians to play music that had not existed until I wrote it down."
The Symphonic Band will perform under the direction of Eric Brewer, instructor of music. The Lamplighters will be directed by Melanie Catana, assistant professor of vocal music and director of choral music.
The concert will feature music composed by Logan M. Campbell, a sophomore music major.
“The Christmas concert is a chance for Logan Campbell to premiere his first composition for band. Logan wants to be a professional composer. Featuring his work on a Waynesburg concert gives him a chance to test out his ideas with live musicians,” Brewer said.
Campbell said that working with musicians to prepare them to perform a piece of music that he wrote is a new experience for him.
“It has been a new experience to work with musicians to play music that had not existed until I wrote it down. It is for this that I am grateful to the musicians for their patience in taking the time to learn the piece, and deal with my near weekly revisions of parts. I am also grateful to the faculty, particularly Professors Brewer and Jaureghi, for all of the guidance, advice and help they have given me in rehearsing and performing this work,” he said.
The Symphonic Band will also perform “Four Scottish Dances” by Malcolm Arnold.
“The ensemble as a whole has grown in maturity this semester when it comes to things like playing in tune, with a consistent sound while making enjoyable music for the audience. Several players individually have also improved on their instruments. Those students will be featured in numerous solos throughout the concert program,” Brewer said.
The Lamplighters will perform excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” that tell the story of Jesus’s birth. The night will end with a performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
“We will have a wonderful conclusion to the program by inviting our audience to sing along,” Catana said. “Warm up your voices and come celebrate the Christmas season with the community at Waynesburg University.”
