Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture

Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, Spirit of Syracuse Chorus Usher in Holiday Season at Hendricks Chapel Dec. 14

Monday, November 18, 2019, By Rob Enslin
Share
concertHendricks ChapelSyracuse University Brass Ensemble
overhead image of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble

The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble.

The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble (SUBE) is pleased to welcome The Spirit of Syracuse (SOS) Chorus to campus for the first “Horns and Harmonies” concert, featuring songs, carols and classics for the whole family.

Destined to become a holiday tradition, the concert is Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. Special guests include WCNY’s Bruce Paulsen, who will emcee the event and reprise his popular interpretation of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and organist Jared Shepard ’17, G’18, who is director of music ministries at The United Church in Fayetteville.

The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are invited to bring food or personal care items to the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry. For more information about the concert, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or visit hendricks.syr.edu. Parking and accessibility information is at parking.syr.edu and subrass.syr.edu.

“We are delighted to present both groups onstage for the first time,” says the Rev. Brian E. Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. “‘Horns and Harmonies’ is a festive way to cap off the semester, while ushering in the holiday season.”

Under the direction of James T. Spencer, SUBE will highlight more than four centuries of brass masterworks, from the Baroque stylings of Giovanni Gabrieli to the joyful strains of Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival.”

James Spencer, Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, and Kay Crawford, Spirit of Syracuse Music Director

Syracuse University Brass Ensemble director James Spencer and The Spirit of Syracuse Master Director Kay Crawford.

The 40-piece ensemble also will showcase its trademark versatility, with stirring renditions of “Adeste Fidelis,” Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music,” “When You Wish Upon a Star” from “Pinocchio,” music from “Frozen,” and more.

“This concert is for kids from one to 92,” jokes Spencer, also a Meredith Professor of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. “There’s nothing like virtuoso brass and percussion playing to capture the spirit of the season.”

The College’s ensemble-in-residence, SUBE is no stranger to Hendricks Chapel, having co-headlined, for the past 12 years, “Holidays at Hendricks,” which, in turn, grew out of the group’s annual December concerts in the chapel.

SUBE also performs at other University functions, including Commencement, convocation ceremonies, and building dedications and openings.

In 2018, the group traveled to Danville, Kentucky, to perform at the Great American Brass Band Festival, the premier event of its kind in North America.

Spencer, who has conducted SUBE for three decades, is excited to turn a page in the group’s lustrous history. “We’ve talked about collaborating with The Spirit of Syracuse for a long time. I’m glad it’s finally happening,” he says.

Spirit of Syracuse choral ensemble

The Spirit of Syracuse Chorus. Photo by Jon B. Petersen Photography.

Fresh from its triumphant performance at the 2019 Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Competition and Convention in New Orleans, SOS brings a unique blend of barbershop harmony, costumes and choreography to the Hill.

The chorus’ program runs the gamut—from the high-octane excitement of “We Need a Little Christmas” from “Mame” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” to the hushed intimacy of “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Mary, Did You Know?”

Rounding out its set are the jazz-inflected strains of “The Man with the Bag” and the classically inspired “Sing Your Way Home,” based on the “Largo” from Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.”

SOS Master Director Kay Crawford says the 70-voice chorus is thrilled to partner with SUBE. “I’m certain that the harmony, joy and energy created by both groups in Hendricks Chapel will reverberate in the hearts of all whom attend. We look forward to many more exciting collaborations in the future,” she says.

Ranked 21st out of 600 SAI choruses in the world, SOS is a fixture on the women’s barbershop harmony circuit. Every year, the group hosts the Syracuse Area Youth A Capella Festival (Say-ACA-Fest), in conjunction with the Liverpool Central School District’s Fine Arts Department. SOS also is the founder of the Lakeside A Cappella Camp, which occurs every summer at Cazenovia College.

“Horns and Harmonies” includes several audience sing-alongs and a brief appearance by a hand-picked children’s choir.

The concert will be recorded for broadcast on WCNY-FM and WAER-FM. Dates and times are TBA.

  • Author

Rob Enslin

  • Recent
  • Behind the Greens with Drumlins’ Peter McPartland
    Friday, June 24, 2022, By Abby Haessig
  • Tips for Managing Your Spring (Achoo!) Allergies
    Friday, June 24, 2022, By Diane Stirling
  • 9 Faculty Members Presented NSF CAREER Awards
    Friday, June 24, 2022, By Diane Stirling
  • Faculty expert reflects on 80th anniversary of Holocaust publication
    Thursday, June 23, 2022, By Vanessa Marquette
  • Syracuse Views Spring/Summer 2022
    Wednesday, June 22, 2022, By News Staff

More In Arts & Culture

Associate Professor Sharif Bey Presents a Tour of His Exhibition, ‘Sharif Bey: Facets,’ for Everson Museum’s Juneteenth Events

Artist Sharif Bey, an associate professor of studio arts in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Art, will lead a gallery tour of his exhibition, “Sharif Bey: Facets,” on Saturday, June 18, 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at…

SENSES Project Teaches Self-Expression, Creativity Through Music and Podcasting

In the basement of Steele Hall sits an incredible resource that is making a difference in the lives of many University students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Walk into the Office of Supportive Services (OSS)—which houses two opportunity programs: The…

Syracuse Stage Concludes Season With Performances of ‘salt/city/blues’ and ‘The Most Beautiful Home…Maybe’

Syracuse Stage concludes the 2021/2022 season with a new play on the mainstage, an original play about housing insecurity in America and partnerships with Everson Museum of Art and Syracuse’s Juneteenth celebration. Corollary events around the shows and partnership include…

Syracuse University Art Museum Piloting Object-Based Teaching and Research Faculty Fellows Program

Faculty from all disciplines are invited to apply for a pilot Faculty Fellows Program being hosted this summer by the Syracuse University Art Museum. The program focuses on object-based teaching and research. It is both a way for the art…

Innovator Lorrie Vogel ’88 to Deliver 2022 VPA Convocation Address

Innovator Lorrie Vogel ’88 will deliver the 2022 convocation address to bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at the college’s convocation ceremony on Saturday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the stadium….

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2022 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.