SU Presents 'Fa La La La Fusion' Music Festival December 4-10

SALISBURY, MD---Sounds of the season deck Holloway Hall Auditorium during Salisbury University’s “Fa La La La Fusion: A Winter Festival of Contemporary and Traditional Music” December 4-10.

The University and Salisbury chorales, directed by Dr. William Folger, director of choral studies at SU, inaugurate the series with a 9/11 memorial concert 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4. The patriotic and spiritual performance pays tribute to those whose lives were lost during the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Featured works include Irving Berlin: A Century of Song and Mass, Op 130 by Joseph Jongen, backed by a 10-piece brass ensemble and organ.

The Salisbury Pops, directed by Lee Knier, continues the series 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 6. The band celebrates Christmas around the world with international works including “Sussex Mummer’s Carol” and Christmas in Poland.

Traditional tunes include “Joy to the World,” Carol of the Bells” and “Sleigh Ride,” while another Christmas classic receives a jazzy remake in “Good Swing Wenceslas.” Dr. Brian Horikami of SU’s Communication Arts Department lends his vocals to “Mele Kalikimaka” The concert includes visits by Santa Claus and Sammy the Sea Gull, as well as an indoor “snowstorm.” Donations will be accepted for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign.

The Jazz Brazz Big Band, directed by Dr. Jerry Tabor, extends traditional jazz improvisation with experimental music 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 8. Vocalists Ashley Hartman and Caitlyn Howard join the band on Jobim’s “Wave,” as well as two versions of Weil and Nash’s “Speak Low” — one a jazz/rock ballad and the other an upbeat swing tune.

Additional music includes the Crusaders’ “Keep That Same Old Feeling” and Wolff’s “Edges.” Tabor arranges most of the works performed.

Sponsored by the Department of Music, admission to the University Chorale, Salisbury Pops and Jazz Brazz Big Band concerts is free and the public is invited.

The series culminates with the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra’s annual Holiday Concert, guest conducted by Knier at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10. The University Chorale joins the orchestra on songs including Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A Fantasia on Christmas Carols (featuring baritone Michael Pistorio), “Ding Dong Merrily on High," “The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter” and the traditional Czech carol “Rocking.”

John Wesley Wright of SU’s Department of Music sings Yon’s “Gesu Bambino,” Carter’s “Mary Had a Baby” and “Frohe Hirten” from J.S. Bach’s The Christmas Oratorio. Local students led by Mary Norton, director of the SU Dance Company, perform as the orchestra plays selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Other works include selections from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Sponsored by Eastern Shore Coffee and Water, and Pepsi Bottling Ventures of Delmarva, admission to the SSO concert is $20, $15 for seniors, $5 for children 12 and under. For tickets visit www.SalisburySymphonyOrchestra.org. For more information call 410-548-5587.

Free shuttles for evening concerts run from the SU parking garage on Wayne Street to Holloway Hall from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and return following each concert. A free shuttle for the December 4 concert runs from the Guerrieri University Center parking lot off Dogwood Drive from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and returns following the concert.

For more information call 410-543-6385 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.