November 17, 2006 -- University Choir Performs Holiday Music

LAWRENCEVILLE – The Rider University Choir will present a holiday concert on Sunday, December 3 at 3 p.m. in Gill Memorial Chapel on Rider’s Lawrenceville campus.  Open to the public, admission is free.

Craig E. Tipton, an adjunct instructor in the fine arts department at Rider and the music teacher at Mercer Christian Academy, will direct the choir for his sixth season.  Tipton, who earned a Master degree in music from Westminster Choir College (WCC) of Rider University, has conducted numerous award-winning high school choirs.  James Lubrano, a recent graduate of The College of New Jersey, who majored in piano, will provide accompaniment.

The Rider Choir will perform the Kyrie, Gloria, and Credo movements from Schubert’s “Mass in G” in Latin with featured soloists Rayna Lewis,a sophomore journalism major; Maria Panvini, a junior fine arts major; and Patrick Gaston, a sophomore secondary eduation/history major.

The Rider Chorale will also take center stage.  The select mixed ensemble will present John Rutter’s French carol, “Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella,” with Mary Lynch, a 2006 Rider graduate, as a soloist and “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes (“Angels We Have Heard on High”) and “Touro-Louro-Louro,” a 17th century Provencal carol, arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw.

Sarai Johnson, a freshman voice performance major from Westminster Choir College, will be featured in the American spiritual, “Rise Up, Shepherd, An’ Foller.”  This year, the program will also have the Women’s Ensemble performing “Balulalow,” a Christmas lullaby by Ruth Elaine Scram, and the classic “Lift Thine Eyes” from the oratorio, Elijah, by Felix Mendelssohn.

As other added treats, a small ensemble comprised of all soloists will perform the Mexican carol, “O Ru-ru-ru, My Little Jesus,” arranged by Ruth Heller.  Celebrating Hanukah, the choir will perform “S’Vivon” arranged by Betty Berteaut, “Hine Mah Tov” by Simon Sargon and “Hanukah Lights,” by Blanche Chass.  

The program will conclude with the choir singing “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” arranged by Mac Huff with soloists Caitlyn Berardini, sophomore journalism major, and Valerie Sodi, a sophomore biology major.