Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, members of the Idaho State University and local music communities will join forces to hold performances the likes of which ISU has never seen before.
The ISU bands, Idaho State-Civic Symphony, ISU choirs and Camerata singers will present their collaborative “Joy to the World: An ISU Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. in the Jensen Grand Concert Hall both dates.
Scott Anderson, director of choral activities at ISU, called the concert “a total department collaboration” which will include over 230 performers. Anderson will conduct part of the concert in conjunction with Idaho State-Civic Symphony conductor George Adams. Patrick Brooks, ISU’s director of bands, will conduct a piece, as well as a pre-show held in the Stephens Performing Arts Center rotunda before both performances.
“The concert is designed to be similar to those music programs given at places like St. Olaf and Luther College,” said Anderson who, along with former symphony director Chung Park, created the idea for the production.
“[It was] about finding different and new arrangements for the familiar melodies that everybody knows,” he added, citing pieces like the concert’s namesake, “Joy to the World,” and “Silent Night.”
According to Anderson, this performance will be different in that it has “a beginning, middle and end” complete with narration from local radio celebrity Mike Sanders.
“Throughout the night, Sanders has statements that shed light on the music that follows,” Anderson explained.
The performance will include several carols, which Anderson encouraged audience members to sing along with.
“We knew the music had to be fun,” he said. “[The concert] was designed to be a journey through holiday music. It’s a kaleidoscope of Christmas’s greatest hits.”
The choral director explained that the concert begins solemnly with classics from composers like Bach. In addition, the symphony will perform selections from the Nutcracker Ballet. The second half of the performance will be lighter, including selections “that everybody knows.”
Though familiar tunes will be performed, “Joy to the World” will also include African pieces performed by the choirs, adding a variety that Anderson said was important.
Anderson said he is excited about the collaboration, as there has “never been a combination performed like this at ISU.”
“It’s a real cross-section of our community,” said Anderson of the performers.
Several ISU faculty members play in the orchestra, and both the Idaho State-Civic Symphony and the Camerata singers are largely composed of community members.
“I hope to showcase the talent of our area to a wider audience than we each would get separately,” Anderson explained.
Despite such a big undertaking, Anderson said the challenge “has yet to come, which is putting it all together.”
The performers and directors will have only two rehearsals in which to put all of the musicians together and practice as a group. The assembly is so large that special risers have been built to accommodate everyone, and the stage has been extended toward the audience.
“We hope to sell out both nights,” said Anderson, who explained that this would mean an audience of thousands of people, all of whom he hopes feel involved in the performance.
“They are part of this synergy and spirit of collaboration that we hope to bring at this time of year,” Anderson said.
Tickets for the performances can be purchased at the Stephens Performing Arts Center Box Office either in person or by phone at 282-3595. Tickets are also available at Vickers Western Wear stores, the Information Desk of the Pond Student Union Building or online at www.isu.edu/stephens.
Tickets are $32 for adults, $17 for students and free for ISU students.
