U. singers program to offer a 'Carol of Joy'

This year's holiday concerts by the University of Utah Singers will borrow heavily from their recently released CD "Carol of Joy," director Brady Allred told the Deseret News.

"We'll be singing repertoire we recorded and also several pieces that we can sing on our (European tour next May)."

Performances take place Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13, in Libby Gardner Concert Hall. Joining the University Singers will be the A Cappella Choir and the Women's Chorus.

Each group will have its own set, and the three will combine on the closing number, the title track from "Carol of Joy."

Since Allred has assembled a large repertoire, the two concerts will feature different programs. "They will be slightly different, but there will be a lot that will be the same. Each concert will have pieces by classical, baroque and contemporary composers, so there should be something for everyone to enjoy."

Among the newer pieces will be a setting of "Benedicamus Domino" by Peter Warlock, Healey Willan's setting of "Three Kings" and Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium."

Other selections include "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "There's a Place Called Home," "The Sussex Carol" and an arrangement of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" that Ken Darby made for the Harry Simeone Chorale.

On the classical side, there will be two settings of the "Ave Maria" in Russian, one by Sergei Rachmaninoff, the other by Arvo Part, and two movements from Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria.

"This will be a fun concert," Allred said. "The students are enjoying it, and I enjoyed putting it together."

The University Singers will repeat the concert in Park City on Dec. 18. "It will be a shorter version of the program we're doing here in Salt Lake," Allred said.

If you go

What: University of Utah Choirs Holiday Concert

Where: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U.

When: Dec. 12-13, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $3-$7

Phone: 581-7100

Web: kingtix.com

Also ...

Where: St. Mary's Catholic Church, U-224 at White Pine Canyon Road, Park City

When: Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.

How much: Free

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com