Lamarissimo! celebrates season with concert Dec. 6
11/20/2009
Lamar University’s A Cappella Choir and Grand Chorus will celebrate the promise of tomorrow as they usher in the Yuletide season at the annual Lamarissimo! holiday concert Sunday, Dec. 6, in the Jefferson Theatre.
From centuries-old classics to best-loved songs and carols, the ensembles will greet the holidays in festive fashion, heralding an afternoon of beauty both musical and visual.
The performance begins at 3 p.m., sponsored by JK Chevrolet-Subaru.
James Han, Lamar’s new director of choral activities, will make his Lamarissimo! debut as conductor of the A Cappella Choir and Grand Chorus. This is the 20th Anniversary Season for Lamar’s acclaimed series of off-campus performances.
“Tomorrow” is the theme of the concert, said Han. “The choirs’ first piece will be ‘Christus natus est’ (‘Christ is born’). Beyond Christianity, the meaning of ‘Christ’ is a better and more promising future. Everyone always hopes and wishes for a better tomorrow,” Han said.
Faculty artist Dwight Peirce will be the accompanist for the concert. Byron Balentine, KVLU public radio station manager for operations, will be the afternoon’s announcer. The Cardinal Singers, Lamar’s popular show choir, will be special guest performers.
The combined choirs will open the holiday concert with “Hodie” (‘This Day’) with the Lamar Faculty Brass and Percussion Ensemble. “This triumphant piece will be a great opening to celebrate our 20th season of Lamarissimo! concerts, which have brought wonderful cultural experiences to Southeast Texas,” Han said.
“Winter Solstice Carol,” accompanied by the Golden Triangle Hand Bell Chorus, under the direction of Gary Wells, will showcase the choirs “with 17th-century Baroque-style double choir music with a combination of most-colorful 21st-century harmonies,” Han said.
Han will welcome “a very special guest conductor” – L. Randolph Babin – who will step to the podium for “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,” written in memory of Paul Manz, who is nationally known for his excellence in sacred music. Babin, who is director of choral activities emeritus, also served as chair of the music department. He was a Lamar faculty member almost 40 years and served for 24 years as musical director and conductor for the Beaumont Civic Opera. He is director of music at St. Jude Catholic Church and conducted the recent Beaumont Interfaith Choral Society concert.
The concert also will feature a composition by Babin and his wife, Janie, “Our Brother Now by Birth,” one of three Christmas lullabies to be performed. The 2008 work is published by GIA Publications Inc.
Faculty artist Beth Graham, oboe, will take center stage for “The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem,” which Han describes as “a beautiful piece based on the beloved tunes ‘Prospect’ and ‘Wondrous Love.’”
The A Cappella Choir also will perform three Christmas carols – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Merry Christmas with Love” and “Patapan” – and then celebrate Hanukkah with “Happy Hanukkah, My Friend.”
After a performance by the Cardinal Singers, faculty artist Betsy Hines, associate professor and director of keyboard studies, will lead the audience in a sing-along of holiday favorites.
To close the concert, the A Cappella Choir and Grand Chorus will raise their voices in “two very exciting” African “Noels,” Han said.
The holiday concert is open to holders of Lamarissimo! season tickets, which include admission to all five concerts in 2009-2010. Individual tickets, $15 for adults and $10 for students, will be on sale at the Jefferson Theatre box office beginning at 2:15 p.m. the afternoon of the concert. Admission is free to students of Lamar University in Beaumont with valid LU identification.
Lamarissimo! gift certificates will also be available at the box office Dec. 6, or they may be ordered from the Department of Music, (409) 880-8144 – also the number to call for additional information about the concert. Priced at $40, each gift certificate may be used to purchase adult season tickets for the 2010-2011 concert series.
“Lamarissimo! gift certificates make wonderful holiday gifts,” said Robert Culbertson, interim chair of the Department of Music. “They are perfect as stocking-stuffers, to mail with greeting cards or for any special gift-giving occasion.”
The spring 2010 Lamarissimo! schedule includes Jazz Bands March 2 and the Cardinal Singers and Lamar Dance Company April 29, both at 7:30 p.m. in the Julie Rogers Theatre.
