CONTACT: Judy Moore at (847) 491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

FOR RELEASE: November 6, 2007

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Northwestern University to Celebrate Christmas
with Music Events Dec. 1-9

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University will spread holiday cheer this December with five Christmas music programs presented by School of Music choral and orchestral ensembles. The Newberry Consort, the University’s ensemble-in-residence, will be joined on stage by a guest early music ensemble during another Christmas-related program.

The following School of Music-sponsored holiday-related events will be held on the University’s Evanston campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive or Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, as noted below.

The musical celebration begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Alice Millar Chapel with a University Women’s Chorus concert featuring sacred and secular choral music, both a cappella and accompanied. Elizabeth Shapovalov will conduct the choral ensemble in Benjamin Britten’s “Missa Brevis,” John Rutter’s “Dancing Day” and Respighi’s “Laud to the Nativity.” Tickets are $7 for the general public; $5 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $4 for full-time students with IDs.

The Newberry Consort will celebrate the Nativity during “Journey to Bethlehem -- 17th Century German Music for Advent and Christmas” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in Alice Millar Chapel. The program of early music will feature voices and historical instruments. Joining the Newberry Consort will be the Whole Noyse, a San Francisco-based early music ensemble that performs on modern reproductions of 16th century instruments, including a cornetto, recorder, sackbut, dulcian, viola and gittern. Single tickets are $24 for the general public; $20 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $11 for full-time students.

The University Singers and University Chorus will perform individually and together at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The program will focus on a cappella selections and works with piano and instrumental accompaniment, including Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata” and Vittorio Giannini’s “Canticle of the Martyrs.” Tickets are $7 for the general public; $5 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $4 for full-time students.

The University Chorale will present two performances of its 68th Annual Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Members of the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra will join the chorale, under the direction of Robert A. Harris, director of Northwestern’s choral organizations. The program will include J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat” in D Major and Louie L. White’s “Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall Come.” Tickets are $12 for the general public; $9 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $6 for full-time students with IDs.

During “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” at 10:40 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in Alice Millar Chapel, a holiday tradition at Northwestern, readings and music will be combined to portray the story of Christmas. The Alice Millar Chapel Choir, the Philharmonia and the Millar Brass Ensemble will perform medieval and modern carols. Works will include Ferko’s “Motet for the Annunciation,” Nelhybel’s “Estampie Natalis,” Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music” and Sandström’s “Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming.” Conductor Stephen Alltop will lead the choir and orchestral ensembles. Michael Henoch will be the featured oboe soloist. Admission is a freewill offering.

To purchase tickets by phone, contact the Pick-Staiger Ticket Office at (847) 467-4000 or visit <www.pickstaiger.org>.

For more information, call the Pick-Staiger Concert Office at (847) 491-5441 or visit the
new Pick-Staiger Web site. To order tickets by phone, call the Pick-Staiger Ticket Office at (847) 467-4000.

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