“Holidays at Hendricks,” the annual Syracuse University holiday concert featuring the Hendricks Chapel Choir, Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, Syracuse University Organist Anne Laver and several guest choirs and ensembles, was held in SU’s Hendricks Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 7. Through a unique collaboration between SU and WCNY, the 90-minute concert will again be broadcast next week by WCNY on both television and radio.
Members of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble perform during this year’s concert.
Broadcast times for television will be Monday, Dec. 22, at 9 p.m. on 24.1; Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. on 24.1 (HD); and Wednesday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), at 7 p.m. on 24.4 (SD).
Broadcast times for radio will be Wednesday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), at 6 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), at 8:30 a.m. on WCNY-FM 91.3.
WCNY-TV is found on Channel 24 or Time Warner Channel 11, digital cable channels 850 and 853 and simulcast in HD 24.1 and SD 24.4. WCNY-FM (CLASSIC-FM) is found at 91.3 in Syracuse, 89.5 in Utica and 90.9 in Watertown.
Production of the program was done by Syracuse University’s Video Production unit in the Marketing and Communications division. The production team was comprised of Mary Kasprzyk ’03; Roxane Niezabytowski; Sean Horsford ’10; Neal Coffey G’89, manager of operations and engineering at the Dick Clark Studios; Andrew Wowelko ’12, instructional technology consultant with Information Technology and Services; and Frank Hegyi ’10. Audio recording was provided by Jeremy Johnston of Subcat Studios.
This year’s concert was organized by artistic director Peppie Calvar, director of the Hendricks Chapel Choir. James T. Spencer is the director of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble. The program featured an emphasis on student and community talent, as evidenced by guest performances by the Syracuse University Singers, directed by John Warren; Windjammer, SU’s vocal jazz ensemble, led by Jeff Welcher; the Syracuse University Concert Choir, led by Elisa Macedo Dekaney; the Syracuse University Women’s Choir, directed by Barbara Tagg; and handbell ringers from Liverpool First United Methodist Church under the direction of Meribeth Dunstone.
In keeping with Hendricks Chapel’s inclusive interfaith vision, a variety of sacred and secular pieces was performed by the groups both individually and in combination. “Holidays at Hendricks” included traditional favorites, such as “Jingle Bells” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” alongside holiday-oriented pieces from the classical repertoire, including “Glory Hallelujah to the Newborn King” and “O magnum mysterium.”
The concert closed with combined performance of “Hallelujah” from Handel’s “Messiah: A Soulful Celebration” and with the traditional candle lighting and singing of “Silent Night.”
