Vocal Rhapsody
The Cleveland State Music Department will present their holiday concert on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center. Both the Chamber Choir and Vocal Rhapsody will begin their program at 7 p.m., and the Inman Street Jazz Band will play an overture for 30 minutes prior to the concert, starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Chamber Choir is a non-auditioned ensemble who all share a passion for music. They will be performing a variety of music ranging from the processional, "Christmas, Here We Come" to "The Christmas Waltz," "The Christ Child is Born,"" A Rockin' Christmas Eve," "Gaudeamus," and the spiritual "Whisper, Whisper," to favorites from the CSCC Octoberfest, "Shut de do" and The Nightmare Before Christmas Medley."
The campus small group ensemble, Vocal Rhapsody, will share traditional a cappella carols, such as "Angels We have Heard on High" and "Ding Dong Merrily on High," which they sang at the Carols in the City this past week. They will also share Britten's "This Little Babe" from A Ceremony of Carols, "Variations on Jingle Bells," and other non-holiday works such as "Unchained Melody," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and the gospel favorite, He Never Failed Me Yet."
Both choirs will join together on the traditional standards, "March of the Kings," and "Carol of the Bells," and various student soloists will share tunes including "The Lord's Prayer," The House at Pooh Corner," "All I Want for Christmas is You" and "Taylor the Latte Boy." Other novelty songs such as "The 12 days After Christmas" and Feliz Navidad" will be performed.
Both choirs are under the direction of Karen Dale, associate professor of Music. According to Ms. Dale, “The students are excited about sharing their music with family, friends and the community. The concert is free, and will be filled with 'extra joy' since Thursday is also the final day of exams for the Cleveland State students. We hope that everyone will come and share this evening of music with us.”