NSU University/Community Chorus performs 'A Baroque Christmas'

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--Singers from Northeastern State University and the Tahlequah community will soon join voices to celebrate the holiday season with the performance of two of the most famous choral works from the Baroque era.

The University/Community Chorus stages A Baroque Christmas on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at 300 W. Delaware St. in Tahlequah. Admission is free and open to the public.

Vaughn Roste, director of choral activities at NSU, said the singers are excited about the opportunity to sing with professional instrumentalists providing the orchestral accompaniment.

As a choral instructor, I believe it is important to find such opportunities for singers, he said. For some this is their first chance to sing accompanied by an instrument other than the piano. This is a real resume-builder for the students.

The chorus will perform Bachs Cantata No. 140, entitled Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme in German and variously translated as Wake, Awake or Sleepers Awake.

This is arguably Bachs most famous cantata, Roste said. It has one of the most beautiful countermelodies in the entire history of music and the audience will easily recognize it.

The programs second piece is Antonio Vivaldis Gloria, another work with which audience members may well be familiar.

This is a great music event and a highlight of the concert season in Tahlequah, Roste said. It has been fun putting it all together and we invite everyone to come hear these beautiful compositions.

For the fall 2011 semester, there are 56 voices in the University/Community Chorus. This is its first solo concert of the fall term and members of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas will accompany.

A Baroque Christmas is presented by the NSU Department for Performing Arts. For more information call Roste at 918-444-2715.