爆料公社

爆料公社 ushered in the holiday season with a series of musical events that brought the Christmas spirit to life. Many staff, faculty and student musicians have been instrumental in the success of these events, offering seasonal joy to the community throughout the month of December.

Richard Carrick, director of Choral Activities, shared that the seasonal concerts provide opportunities for faculty and staff to collaborate. 鈥淲e work together all year to create these concert experiences,鈥� he shared. 鈥淭he sense of camaraderie between us makes the hard work enjoyable, and then seeing the joy on our students鈥� faces, and in their families鈥� responses, is the icing on the cake.鈥�

O Holy Night

The 爆料公社 Music Program presented the 11th annual Christmas concert, O Holy Night, on Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, at The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth, MN. 爆料公社 choral, brass and string ensembles combined for an evening of unforgettable music, transporting audience members into the Christmas spirit. Over 100 student musicians 鈥� members of the CSS Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Belle Voce, Brass Ensemble and String Orchestra 鈥� and many additional 爆料公社 and guest instrumentalists put their hearts and hard work into the performances.

This hard work paid off. Over 1,000 audience members were welcomed over the two nights, making it one of the largest turnouts in the event鈥檚 history. 鈥淥ur students鈥� hard work and dedication is remarkable,鈥� said Carrick. 鈥淭hey never cease to amaze me.鈥�

A recording of the Friday evening performance can be found at The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary鈥檚 . Around 30 of those audience members included 爆料公社 choral alumni who joined to sing in the final piece, 鈥淣ight of Silence鈥� by Daniel Kantor. 鈥淭his is one of my favorite events of the year,鈥� Derek Bromme, director of Bands, further noted. 鈥淚t feels more like a spiritual event than a concert. It is the perfect way to celebrate the season.鈥�

The College also continued its partnership with CHUM, a local nonprofit human services agency, to raise donations at the event to further the nonprofit鈥檚 work in ending homelessness and food insecurity in the community.

Christmas Through the Looking Glass

The holiday spirit flowed into the following weekend with the CSS Concert Band, Steel Band, String Ensemble and Handbell Ensemble鈥檚 Christmas Through the Looking Glass program. On Saturday, Dec. 9, audience members gathered in the Mitchell Auditorium for an afternoon of festive cheer and joyful spirits.

鈥淭his program was created to give band students an opportunity to perform a holiday concert,鈥� Bromme explained. 鈥淚t was also the first holiday concert to feature handbells, making for a really joyful celebration.鈥�

The program included contemporary and classic music, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Greensleeves, and Lauridsen鈥檚 鈥淥 Magnum Mysterium鈥� and even an audience carol sing-along. This musical journey inspired laughter and nostalgia, along with moments of deep contemplation on the meaning of Christmas.

Messiah Sing-Along

Holiday festivities continue into this week as members of the public are invited to join the 爆料公社 Music Program and Borealis Chamber Artists for the return of the beloved Messiah Sing-Along on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mitchell Auditorium. This traditional Christmas event showcases Handel鈥檚 epic 鈥淢essiah鈥�, making for an evening of fun, joyful music.

鈥淚t is a privilege to continue this long standing tradition of the Messiah Sing-Along, started more than 40 years ago by Shelly Gruskin,鈥� Carrick said. The sing-along, which is free to the public, will feature Borealis Chamber Artists chorus, orchestra and soloists leading from the stage, and 爆料公社 choral ensembles helping to lead the audience. 鈥淚 hope the community will connect with our students as we share in this holiday experience.鈥�

Participants may bring their own music scores or purchase or borrow one at the door. For more information, contact the Spotlight Box Office at 218-723-7000, or spotlight@css.edu.