Press Release: ENMU sets holiday concert

Eastern New Mexico University in Portales will host its annual Holiday Concert at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4 at the University Theatre’s Mainstage. The concert features the University Singers and the Chamber Singers, conducted by Jason Paulk and accompanied by Kayla Paulk, and the Symphonic Band, directed by Dustin Seifert and Neil Rutland.

The Symphonic Band will perform “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” conducted by Neil Rutland; “Greensleeves,” arranged by Alfred Reed; “The Nutcracker Suite,” composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; and “Sleigh Ride,” composed by Leroy Anderson.

The University Singers will perform “The Friendly Beasts with cello, flute, oboe” featuring soloists Dan Carey, Vincent Romano, Racel Mariano and Kathleen Deerman-Smith; “Ave Maria” with soloists Dan Carey, and Nicholas Jones; and “Star in the East” featuring soloists Kelly Vigil, Jazz Juarez, Roberto Garza and Andrew Tipton.

The Chamber Singers will perform “Dixit Maria” by Hans Leo Hassler, “Gaudete” and “Away in a Manger.”

The band and choirs will close the program by performing an audience sing-a-long compilation of familiar carols called “Merry Christmas Everyone.”

“The concert should be a perfect way for the audience to get in the Christmas spirit,” says Paulk. “It will be lively and engaging, very musically rewarding.”

 The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kathi Fraze at 575-562-2377.