The Shippensburg University Woodwind and String Ensembles performed on Sunday, Nov. 14 in Old Main Chapel.
The Flute Choir, directed by Suzanne Thierry, played both contemporary and classic selections including “Harmonious Blacksmith” by George Frideric Handel as well as “The Rose Cottage” and “The Doubtful Wife” from “A Gaelic Offering” by Catherine McMichael. “Minuet and Dance of the Blessed Spirits” from “Orfeo” by Christopher Willibald Gluck highlighted soloist Haley Bennett. The ensemble’s segment closed with “A Christmas Jazz Suite” arranged by Bill Holcombe and featured bassist Noah Stewart and pianist Fred Dade, an SU professor.
The String Ensemble took the stage next under the direction of Mark Hartman. The group opened with “Boisterous Bourree” and “Playful Pizzicato” from Benjamin Britten’s Simple Symphony and followed with the Allegro, Adagio and Allegro sections of “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major” composed by Johann Sebastian Bach with Margaret Lucia, a SU professor, on piano.
The Clarinet Ensemble played renditions of “Bach Suite” by Johann Sebastian Bach, “On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss” by David Holsinger, “Concertante” by Anton Krause, “But Beautiful” by Jimmy Van Huesen arranged by Tom Meyer, ensemble director, and the group ended with George Gershwin’s “Foggy Day.”
The Saxophone Ensemble finished the show with “Bach Prelude and Fugue in G minor” composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, “Shepherd’s Hey” by Percy Grainger, “Fantasy on a Theme of Jupiter” by Gustav Holst, “My Romance” by Richard Rodgers - also arranged by ensemble director Tom Meyer - and “Birdland” by Joe Zawinul.
The concert is the first of many performances showcasing the talents that students and staff have worked to polish all semester. The Shippensburg University Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers will perform at the First Church of God at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20. The Shippensburg University Community Orchestra will perform the next day, Sunday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m. in the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center. All are invited to these performances and admission is free of charge. Masks are required.
A gallery highlighting this performance is available under 'Multimedia.'
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