7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Victory Theatre, 600 Main St, Evansville, IN

The University of Evansville Department of Music invites you join them in ringing in the holiday season at the annual Holiday Pops Concert. For nearly four decades, students, faculty, and soloists have shared their talent and celebrated the spirit of the season with music. UE’s Choirs, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and University Band are among the ensembles audiences can expect to enjoy. In 2017, the department also hopes to bring an added touch of community spirit to the event.

The featured guest for this year’s concert is Evansville’s own Gina Moore. A graduate of Central High School, Ms. Moore has appeared frequently as a soloist around the Tristate, where she began singing with her church choir in the late 1970s. Since then she has made numerous appearances, both as a soloist and with her sister Joan as a member of The Browne Sisters, with ensembles ranging from choirs to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. She has been recognized for her work for a variety of organizations, including the Downtown Kiwanis Club, the EVSC Foundation Board, and YMCA in Evansville. She has also received the State of Indiana Sagamores of the Wabash Award.

Moore will sing a number of holiday favorites, including Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and The Christmas Song. Each of UE’s student music ensembles will also perform during the evening. Orchestra selections include Variations on Joy to the World, the University Choir will perform Amazing Grace, featuring Ms. Moore as soloist, and the Wind Ensemble will share their rendition of the Leroy Anderson’s classic Sleigh Ride. The concert concludes with all of the department’s ensembles joining on-stage for an audience sing-a-long, and likely a visit from a right jolly old elf!

The Department is pleased to partner with the Tri-State Food Bank and Christian Charities Food Bank. Tickets are free, but attendees are encouraged to bring a donation of canned food which the food banks will share with those in need.

For the first time, this year’s concert will be presented both in Evansville at the Victory Theatre downtown, and in Henderson, Kentucky, as part of a budding partnership with the Preston Arts Center. The concert at the Victory made possible through the generosity of Mesker Music Trust by Fifth Third Bank, trustee. UE’s music programs are also pleased to have the support of the Friends of UE Music.

The program will be presented at the Victory Theatre on Tuesday, December 5 at 7:30 PM, and at the Preston Arts Center on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30 PM. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

Program

“Variations on Joy to the World” (1981)
arr. James Christensen

UE Symphony Orchestra

“It’s Christmas Time” (1989)
arr. Calvin Custer

Gina Moore with UE Symphony Orchestra

Puer Natus in Bethlehem, Op. 118, No. 6
Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901)

Translation: A boy is born in Bethlehem, wherefore Jerusalem rejoices. Here lies in a manger, he who reigns without end. The Kings came from Sheba; they offer him gold, incense, and myrrh. In this natal joy, let us give thanks.

Be Thou My Vision
Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)

Star of the East
Alan Bullard (b. 1947)

Women’s Chorus, Mixed Choir, University Choir
Garnet Ungar, piano

Amazing Grace
arr. Jay Althouse

University Choir, Gina Moore soloist

A Cradle in Bethlehem
Al Bryan (1871-1958) / Lawrence Stock (1896-1984)
Gina Moore, soloist
Renato Butturi, guitar

Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Robert MacGimsey (1898-1979)

Gina Moore, soloist

“Russian Christmas Music” (1944)
Alfred Reed (1921-2005)
UE Wind Ensemble

“The Christmas Song” (1945)
Mel Torme (1925-1999) and Robert Wells (1922-1998)
arr. John Higgins

Gina Moore with UE Wind Ensemble

“Sleigh Ride” (1948)
Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)

UE Symphony Orchestra and UE Wind Ensemble

“A Christmas Festival” (1950)
Leroy Anderson

University Choir/UE Mixed Chorus/UE Women’s Chorus
UE Symphony Orchestra/UE Wind Ensemble/University Band