Holiday tunes to fill the air at Aurora University show

Sacred, classical and popular holiday selections, including Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria, will be performed in "Joy to the World!" a holiday concert by the Aurora University Chorale, Women's Ensemble and the Music by the Lake Singers and Festival Orchestra.

The free, public concert is at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in AU's Crimi Auditorium in the Institute for Collaboration at 407 S. Calumet Ave. in Aurora. The concert is part of AU's 2008-09 Celebrating Arts and Ideas series. Reservations are required. Call (630) 844-4924 or e-mail artsandideas@aurora.edu.

The program includes a wide variety of favorite Christmas arrangements, many set for choirs and orchestra.

Among the selections are Vivaldi's "Gloria," the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria," a stunning setting of "The Spirit of the Lord" by Benjamin Britten, and the nostalgic "Do You Hear What I Hear?," arranged by Harry Simeone.

The program also features lush choral settings from the St. Olaf series, rousing spirituals with percussion instruments, and light pop arrangements including "Grown Up Christmas List," and a special feature, "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" presented by the men of the University Chorale with a special guest.

The evening ends with audience participation in "Joy to the World" by G.F. Handel.

Christine Flasch, executive director of Music by the Lake and director of the University Chorale, will direct.

With 40 voices, the University Chorale debuted in 2006 to perform at university functions and concerts each semester.

New this year is the 20-voice Women's Ensemble from AU. This select group will present three works with instruments, including brass and percussion.

The Music by the Lake Singers hold advanced degrees in vocal performance. The talented singers from Wisconsin and Illinois have appeared in operas and operettas on AU's George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., over the past few seasons.

The 38-member Music by the Lake Festival Orchestra, drawn from the summer opera orchestra, will join the singers for this enjoyable concert of Christmas selections. Before joining Aurora University, Flasch spent 12 years singing leading soprano roles with opera companies nationwide, culminating in eight seasons with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Her background includes participation in outstanding choirs throughout her formal education, including membership in the first Wisconsin State Honors Choir.