(Posted December 3, 2002)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata College Choral Union will perform "Gloria" and other choral works by British composer John Rutter with guest artists Centre Brass at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10 in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall on the Juniata College campus.

Admission for the concert is $5. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the information desk in Ellis College Center or at the door on the night of the performance. For tickets or other information, call (814) 641-3333.
Russell Shelley, Elma Stine Heckler Associate Professor of Music at Juniata College and chair of the music department, will conduct the ensemble.

The Choral Union will perform a variety of British and European Christmas-themed compositions, including "Ding dong! Merrily on High," "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen," "Good King Wenceslas" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas," which also features a choral arrangement by John Rutter.

The highlight of the concert will be the ensemble's performance of Rutter's "Gloria," a choral standard based on a Gregorian chant that also features a traditional symphonic structure. The choral union will be accompanied by brass, percussion and organ for this composition. The local group Centre Brass will perform as guest artists for this concert.

John Rutter has written many classic choral works in addition to "Gloria," including "Requiem " and Magnificat." He was director of music at Clare College, in Cambridge, England in the 1970s and leads the performance group The Cambridge Singers. He currently divides his time between composition and conducting.

The Choral Union is the largest choral ensemble at Juniata with a student membership of more than 90 and more than 50 members from communities in the Huntingdon area. The Juniata Choral Union traditionally performs larger choral works.

The Centre Brass, which will perform throughout the entire concert, is directed by Herb McKinstry, lecturer in music at Juniata. Stephen Baird is the Choral Union accompanist.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.