Pacific Index

Choir Ensembles and the Symphonic Band Collaborate for Pacific’s Holiday Concert

  The Holiday Concert is a collaborative congregation of some of the most musically talented individuals at Pacific University. This year, it is no different. The concert includes representation from many of Pacific’s choir ensembles and the Symphonic Band. 

   The concert opens with two performances from the Concert Choir. Chamber Singers will then perform three of their own, and both ensembles will combine for one piece right before intermission. Singers from the student-led groups, Vera Voce and Splendid Audacity, will also perform one piece each. Then, the Symphonic Band will perform several invigorating melodies under the direction of Dr. Burch-Pesses before a final sing-along involving the audience members.

   With so much to do and so many people to manage, Director of Choral Activities Katy Green comments on the difficulties of this yearly performance, “The biggest challenge for this concert has been time. We have had seven rehearsals to prepare for this performance. But I am thrilled with where we are and am confident we will present a wonderful celebration of holiday tunes for our audience. Among other skills, we have spent this semester working to improve our sight singing and retention skills, and I am pleased to see that hard work paying off with the time constraints of this concert.” Green’s dedication to this concert will get indefinite results. 

This year’s concert highlights one of Green’s directorial focal points as a newer member of Pacific University’s Staff. Green explains, “I wanted to ensure we stayed within the context of the holiday spirit, but programming music from diverse cultural backgrounds and by diverse composers will always be a priority of mine, while also challenging our musicians for continued musical progress.” The song “Betelehemu,” a Nigerian Folk song and traditional Christmas carol, especially underlines these values. As an ethereal yet powerful, almost chant, “Betelehemu” will be a highlight of the performance. 

   Green shares a particularly meaningful conversation in the rehearsal process that came about when students dove deeper into the name of one of their songs, “Several rehearsals ago, Concert Choir engaged in a beautiful conversation on their interpretation of the text of one of their pieces, “Glow.” This led to some deep engagement of what it means for each of us to “glow” in the world and how we can best serve ourselves and others. I’m honored to have been part of such a profound and vulnerable conversation.” This deeper conversation added another layer of connection to the song and, thus, to the concert. 

   Audience members have a divine night to look forward to on December 7, filled with stellar performances and holiday spirit. Green says it best, concluding, “The choral music in this concert is crafted to capture a full spectrum of emotions often experienced during the holidays—joy, wonder, solitude, anticipation, gratitude, grief, excitement, etc. My hope is that the overall experience for our audience will be one of shared celebration in the moments of joy, as well as offering comfort and compassion in response to the more difficult emotions that can arise during the season. Ultimately, I hope each listener feels seen, heard, and connected through the expressions of music we present.”