Campus Connection

Combine seven UW-La Crosse choirs and a little holiday spirit and what do you get? UW-L’s 19th annual Festival of Carols. The concert featuring traditional, well-known carols as well as new yuletide music written by UW-L composers will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center–Gunning Addition. Three new music directors will conduct or accompany various works performed. For the finale, Kathryn Skemp Moran, conductor of the Women’s Chorus, will be a soprano soloist and David Richardson, new director of the Choral Union, will be the piano accompanist. During the finale, all choirs will join in for two choruses from George Frederich Handel’s “Messiah,” “And the Glory of the Lord” and “Hallelujah.” It will also include a composition “He Will Feed His Flock” written by UW-L Director of Choral Music Studies Gary Walth. Audience members who wish to sing the Hallelujah chorus as part of the finale are welcome to join students on stage. Tom Seddon, new director of the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, will direct a brass choir, which will lead the audience and choirs in three carols. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 785.8415 or at the door. Suggested ticket donations are $5 for students, $8 for senior citizens and $10 for others. The doors open at 2:30 p.m. for a pre-concert performance by Vocal Jazz groups and LX Noise. UW-L Festival of Carols CD and the latest UW-L Vocal Jazz Ensemble I CD, as well as Concert Choir sweatshirts and fleeces, will be available for purchase before and after the concert. If you go — Who: UW-L Concert Choir, Männerchor, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Women’s Chorus, Chamber Choir, Brass Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble II, LX Noise What: The concert will feature traditional, well-known carols as well as new yuletide music written by UW-L composers When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 Where: Valhalla, Cartwright Center–Gunning Addition Admission: Purchase tickets in advance by calling 608.785.8415 or purchase at the door. Suggested ticket donations are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for students.