This upcoming weekend Augustana’s music ensembles will join together to perform at the annual “Christmas at Augustana” concert.
“Christmas at Augustana,” is an Augustana tradition, featuring the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Ascension Ringers, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, the Augustana Choir, Cantilena Augustana and the Wennenberg Men’s Chorus, according to Augustana Brass Ensemble member, Gabrielle Potter.
The concert in Centennial Hall will include a variety of holiday songs for the audiences to sing along to, performed by 300 student musicians and conductors.
Augustana Choir member Greg Larson said the conductors for the show will be different for each musical ensemble that performs.
“Each ensemble’s conductor plays a part in ‘Christmas at Augustana,’” said Larson. “For the brass ensemble, it is Dr. James Lambrecht. For the orchestra, it is Dr. Culver. For the handbell choir, it is Larry Peterson. For the choirs, it is Dr. Hurty, Dr. Sonya Hurty, Dr. Zemek and more.”
Potter said this year’s concert will feature the handbell choir in a new way.
“This year the handbell choir will be fully integrated into the program,” Potter said. “As a result, the hymns which are normally performed using just the organ, are going to be performed by the Augustana Brass Ensemble.”
The Centennial stage will be set up in a way so that all members from each music ensemble are on stage for the entire show. The only members that rotate between songs are the conductors.
Potter said some of the songs will include multiple ensembles at once.
“We are performing traditional hymns such as, ‘Joy to the World’ with all of the other choirs and the orchestra,” said Potter.
Rehearsals and practice have been taking place for weeks. Potter mentioned that these practices will narrow down what else needs to be worked on.
“We don’t rehearse much with the other groups until the dress rehearsals,” Potter said. “The choirs, however, have been hard at work, because it takes a lot to get all the singers to work together. The real challenge will come with the dress rehearsals when we see what needs work.”
Tickets are still available for sale for $20 each, but there is limited seating.