Vocal Company leaves no dry eye
PNW Vocal Company performs at their Holiday Concert on Dec. 11.
YJean Chambers was decorated to the nines in the holiday spirit to set the mood. The lights were dimmed and soft holiday music played as the crowd waited for the concert to begin. The atmosphere was comfortable and jolly, with the piano in the center of the auditorium. Twinkly LED candles decorated the top of the piano atop a cloth runner. Small decorative squirrels sat on the edge of the stage playing in fake snow. At the left corner of the stage was a worn leather armchair and a decorative fireplace, complete with stockings. Sparkly ornamental stars hung from the ceiling.
On Dec. 11, the Purdue Northwest Vocal Company held a holiday concert in the YJean Chambers. The concert was an intimate, heartwarming and relaxing way to set the tone for the holidays.
The PNW Vocal Company has been around since 2005 with Patricia Hales as the director since it began. The company performed 11 holiday-themed songs this season with one particularly emotion performance “Where Are You Christmas” midway through the concert that left everyone with a feeling of nostalgia.
Hales said that her vocal group helped her decorate the hall in advance with holiday decorations she had accumulated over the years. The group has been practicing since September, getting very into the Christmas spirit early this year.
Before the vocal company took the stage, William Robinson, retired professor of Communication, took a seat at the armchair, fastened his Santa Claus hat, and introduced the program. In between songs, Robinson read holiday stories and poems to introduce the upcoming song. Robinson held a warm and jolly attitude throughout the concert. In between songs his smooth and calming voice warmed the room like a hot cup of cocoa.
One standout performance of the night was the company’s rendition of Silent Night- an arrangement by Pepper Choplin called “Silent Night for All the World”. This version of the classic Silent Night was sung in five languages: German, Korean, Zulu, Spanish and English.One glance around teh room could see the performance moved the audience to the point of tears. It was very considerate and important that the group addressed the beautiful diversity of Purdue and gave every student and family in attendance the personal experience of hearing a classic holiday song performed in what may be their native language.
The concert was a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit. It set the mood for upcoming winter break and left students thinking of nothing but family, warm fireplaces and snow-frosted windows entering finals week. It was truly an unforgettable Purdue experience worth looking forward to from now on.
PNW Vocal Company Holiday Concert receives 4 out of 5 stars.
Practices for the spring concert will begin after break on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Students that are interested can contact her via email Hales for more information at [email protected].
