University of St. Francis choirs to present sounds of the season

“Glad Tidings: Christmas at the Motherhouse” to thrill music lovers on Dec. 7 and 8

JOLIET, Ill. – The University of St. Francis Department of Music and Performing Arts will present its 21st annual Christmas concert, “Glad Tidings: Christmas at the Motherhouse,” on Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Both performances will take place in the university’s quaint St. Joseph Chapel, located in the Motherhouse at 520 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, Ill.

The USF Schola Cantorum, directed by Patrick Brannon (Chicago), will perform with the Concert Chorale, under the direction of Willard Thomen (Joliet), and the Singing Saints, under the direction of Robert Stumpf (Chicago). Schola Cantorum was founded in 1992 and celebrates its 20th anniversary during this 2012-13 concert season. A special alumni gathering will be hosted after the Saturday performance.

“Glad Tidings: Christmas at the Motherhouse” will feature a variety of traditional carols and choral music for Christmas, including Gregorian chant and works by Samuel Scheidt, J. S. Bach, Giovanni Gabrieli, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Leroy Anderson, Harry Simeon, Carl Shalk, Healey Willen, Gilbert Martin, John Rutter, Jeffrey Van and Eric Whitacre.

USF students in Schola Cantorum include Gabriel Jaskowiak, Philipa Kerr, Elyse Lorenz, Janna Paskvan, and Lauren Ramsak (Joliet); Jonathon Alamo, Julian Jankowski, Tom Kodrun, Katrin Volkmer, and Denara Watson (Plainfield); Jeff Brown (Crest Hill); Marisa Di Bennardi (Evergreen Park); Niko Diaz (Chicago); Michael Hu (Ningbo Zheliang, China); Mary Jackson (Charleston); Justin Krolik (Troy, Mich.); Meghan Nee (Roselle); Maricar Rose Nones (Downey, Calif.); Christian Page (Oswego); Simone Reis (Bolingbrook); Dylan Reyes (Sterling); Derek Robinson (Monroe, Mich.); Sarah Sheehan (Frankfort); Heather Storm (Dwight) and Nicholas Young (Lockport). The choir is accompanied by Jim Stopher (Naperville).

The USF Concert Chorale is a community choir and consists primarily of Joliet-area residents but is also open to students, alumni, and USF faculty and staff. Choir members are Jim Batis, Joyce Donohue, Keith Forni, Ruth Forni, Melissa Locher, Rick Locher, Margaret Lorenz, Marianne Manley, Tom Manley, USF instructor Richard Nicholas, Sue Parsons and Lin Paquette (Joliet); Autumn Song Cha (Romeoville), USF student Niko Diaz (Clarendon Hills), alumna Elizabeth Fallon ’12 (Morris) and Dan Malinowski (Shorewood). Concert Chorale is also accompanied by Stopher.

USF students in Singing Saints include Reynaldo Castillo, Melanie Fonseca, Tyon Mason and Chelsea Long (Chicago); Lucas Bertolotti and Alexandra Krejci (Plainfield); Alyssa Aguirre (Rockdale), Emalita Bantista (Ottawa); Christina Bravo (Midlothian); Kathleen Cohen (South Barrington); Jacob Taheny (New Lenox); Christian Page (Oswego); Shannon Patino (Channahon) and Marilee Urbanczyk (Joliet). The Singing Saints are accompanied by Victor Moreno (Hinsdale).

Tickets for “Glad Tidings: Christmas at the Motherhouse” are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), USF alumni, and non-USF students. There is complimentary admission for USF faculty, staff and students with ID. Parking will be available directly in front of the Motherhouse, across Taylor Street, or at any other campus parking lots (a short walk across the quad may be required). For ticket information or reservations please call (800) 735-7500.

The University of St. Francis in Joliet serves 3,400 students nationwide, offering 44 undergraduate programs, four adult degree-completion programs, 18 graduate programs and two doctoral programs. Areas of study include arts and science, business, education, nursing and health care and social work. For information, call (800) 735-7500 or visit www.stfrancis.edu.

Contact:

Nancy Pohlman

(815) 740-3379

npohlman@stfrancis.edu