Spring Break
Concert kicks off holiday season
Eastern Concert Choir performs on Thursday
Brad York/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 12/12/08 Section: News
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The performance is meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and was made famous by the King's College of Cambridge.
The concert was not just musical praise, but it also featured prayers and texts between the musical rejoices.
"The prayers help us deal with the harsh realities of war and poverty," said Rev. Cindy Jones, pastor of the church and reader of the prayers. "It is my joy to be the pastor of this church. This was a telling of what Christmas is about. This was the telling of Christmas through stained-glass windows and songs before there was text."
Among the songs played was "O Magnum Mysterium" by Morten Lauridsen. The song featured the entire Eastern Concert Choir singing the melody.
"This is the concert that makes me want to start the season," Richard Rossi, conductor for the choirs and ensembles said. "The concert is before finals week and brings a sense of calmness with it. This is one of my favorite performances. It sort of calms me down at one of the most hectic points of the year."
The concert began with the sopranos of the Eastern Concert Choir, which sung "Once in Royal David's City."
"A big procession is part of the tradition of 'Nine Lessons and Carols,'" Rossi said. "The readings and the prayers are consistent in all the performances, but the music varies each time. It is difficult to choose what songs to play. I try to take in the texts and follow the structure of King's College."
This performance seems to be a favorite of all the performers and sets the mood for the holidays.
"This is one of my favorite concerts of the season," Maureen Murchie, violinist and music professor said. "It has smaller ensembles and makes it a little more intimate for the sacred setting."
Brad York can be reached at 581-7942 or at bayork@eiu.edu.
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