Brass, choir and handbells unite for ‘Holidays at Hendricks’

Brass, choir and handbells unite for ‘Holidays at Hendricks’November 19, 2007Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble (SUBE), the Hendricks Chapel Choir and the Hendricks Chapel Handbell Ringers will come together on Sunday, Dec. 2, to present “Holidays at Hendricks,” the annual Hendricks Chapel holiday concert.

The concert will begin in the chapel at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local human service agency. A tree-lighting ceremony and carol singing will precede the concert at 7 p.m. on the chapel steps.

Public parking is free and available on a first-come/first-served basis in the Quad 1 lot (accessible via Crouse Drive) and Quad 3 lot (accessible via Sims Drive, with entrance between Bowne Hall and Carnegie Library), and also in the Irving Avenue Garage. The Connective Corridor bus will provide free transportation from any marked Corridor bus stops along West Fayette Street and South State Street in downtown Syracuse, or along East Genesee Street at the base of the University Hill. Additional route infromation and a bus schedule are available online at http://connectivecorridor.syr.edu.

This year, through a unique collaboration between SU and WCNY, the 90-minute concert will be simulcast by WCNY on both television and radio on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, at 2 p.m. WCNY-FM (CLASSIC-FM) is found at 91.3 in Syracuse, 89.5 in Utica and 90.9 in Watertown, and also streams live on the Web at http://www.wcny.org. WCNY-TV is found on Channel 24 or Time Warner Channel 11.

“The holiday concert is a longstanding tradition of Hendricks Chapel. In this season of gatherings and festivities, it is our gift to the University and region,” says the Rev. Thomas V. Wolfe, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “I am delighted that we can expand the reach of that gift through our collaboration with WCNY.”

“WCNY is also delighted to be able to shine the spotlight on these world-class musicians as well as to bring this very special holiday event into the homes and hearts of our community,” says WCNY President & CEO Robert J. Daino. “Programming like this demonstrates the power of public broadcasting. This is a wonderful treat that should not be missed!”

“We’re immensely proud of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble and its role in this joyous holiday tradition,” says Cathryn R. Newton, dean of The College of Arts and Sciences. “SUBE brilliantly embodies the rich creative spirit of the college, as well as the University’s commitment to Scholarship in Action through the performing arts.”

During the concert, the three groups will perform both individually and in combination. The brass ensemble will be directed by James Spencer, the choir by John Warren and the handbell ringers by Jessica Bowerman. University Organist Kola Owolabi will provide accompaniment. The program will include a variety of music, including traditional carols, a cappella motets, renaissance music for organ and brass, and a traditional Chanukah song. The concert will conclude with the singing of “Silent Night” by candlelight.

The SUBE, housed in SU’s College of Arts and Sciences, is composed of members of the SU faculty and staff, the SUNY Upstate Medical University faculty and staff and accomplished musicians from surrounding communities. The SUBE presents about 18 performances per year, including the annual July 4th celebration with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra at the New York State Fairgrounds. The ensemble’s repertoire includes music from all major musical periods and often features new compositions commissioned by nationally known composers.

The Hendricks Chapel Choir is a select, voice-mixed choir of about 40 students that provides music for the Sunday morning interdenominational Protestant service at SU as well as for various campus events. The choir presents annual holiday and spring concerts, and tours internationally every four years. The choir will tour South America in May 2009.

The Hendricks Chapel Handbell Ringers is a group ofstudents, faculty, and staff from the SyracuseUniversity community. The ensemble rings five octavesof Schulmerich handbells and four octaves ofSchulmerich MelodyChimes. The Handbell Ringers performat the Protestant Worship Services in the Chapelthroughout the academic year, as well as at otherchurches and venues throughout Central New York.

For more information on the concert, contact Hendricks Chapel at 443-2901 or visit http://hendricks.syr.edu.