MURFREESBORO, NC –Christmas time is near. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is in full swing. Take a break from the chaos, and come inside from the cold to join Chowan Singers and Men’s Choir, the premier choral ensembles of ChowanUniversity, in conjunction with the Chowan Wind Ensemble and Chowan Community Chorus at their annual Christmas at Chowanconcert December 3, 2017 at 3:30 PM.

The entire Music Department will join together to perform the Christmas Concert for the first time in the history of the program.The music department has collaborated utilizing all of the music faculty, and both major ensembles, vocalists and instrumentalists. This united effort brings together the many musical abilities of both faculty and students in one event.

The pre-program music will feature the Jazz Band, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Cook, Assistant Professor of Music. The pre-program will begin at 3:00PM when the doors open. The Jazz Band will perform at the front of the auditorium, ground level, as guests find their seats.

The first portion of the program will feature various Christmas jazz selections, the Men’s Chorus, and the new Show Choir. The second half of the program will present the Christmas Cantata, Let There Be Christmas by Joseph Martin, a continuous work for chorus, soloists, and instrumental ensemble. The Christmas Cantata Let There Be Christmas, helps showcase the department’s musical strengths and provides an uplifting start to the season for the community. The work will be sure to please everyone, and is a most glorious celebration of the season, including traditional carols, original songs, and readings from the Christmas Story.

Chowan Singers is a select ensemble consisting of 16 students, two-thirds of whom are music majors. The group has presented numerous concerts throughout North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic region. In addition, they have traveled in recent years to perform in Ireland, Italy, and New York City. Chowan Singers and Men’s Choir are under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Thorburn, Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Chowan University. The Show Choir is new to Chowan. It is a smaller ensemble of men and women who perform more popular and Broadway show tunes. The Show Choir is under the direction of Dr. Lisa Lowry, Assistant Professor of Music.

Dr. Cook received his Doctorate from Indiana University, Bloomington, and joins fellow alum Dr. Lowry this year at ChowanUniversity.  Dr. Thorburn holds degrees from the University of Rochester and Yale University. Paula Pressnell, Artist in Residenceat Chowan, is the collaborative pianist for the choirs. Professor Pressnell is a cum laude graduate of Salem College, where she was a piano student of Clemens Sandresky.

Dr. Mary Hellmann, Music Department Chair and Director of the Chowan Wind Ensemble, is working with the Murfreesboro Rotary Club in conjunction with Toys for Tots to provide Christmas gifts for children in need in Hertford County. Collection boxes will be located at the back of Turner Auditorium to receive unwrapped gifts for distribution to children. Attendees of this free concert are encouraged to bring a gift to donate to a child this Christmas.

Load up the kids or grandkids, grab a friend, loved-one or spouse, and enjoy this special Christmas concert on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 3:30 PM in Turner Auditorium of the McDowell Columns Hall on the Chowan University campus. Doors open at 3:00 PM.

Chowan University offers bachelor’s degrees in over forty programs of study, including three in music: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Science in Music Education, and Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Music Industry Emphasis. Further information about the Department of Music can be obtained by calling (252) 398-6236 or emailing music@chowan.edu. Follow us on Facebook:facebook.com/musicatchowan.