Ohio Northern University celebrates the holiday season with a trio of concerts, beginning with the ONU Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. and the ONU Wind Orchestra’s second annual “It’s Not Quite Christmas Yet” concert, titled “Gaudete,” on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Both events will be held in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts.
The ONU Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert features guest trombonist Ron Kischuk, leader of Detroit’s Masters of Music Big Band and the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. Also featured will be the ONU Student Jazz Combo under the direction of Gene Parker, lecturer in ONU’s music department.
“Gaudete” features works by David Maslanka, David Gillingham, W. Francis McBeth, and others. In a beautifully contrasting portion of the concert, the ONU Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Ben Ayling, ONU choral director and assistant professor of music, will present selections from its holiday repertoire.
Tickets for each event are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and non-ONU students, $5 for children, and $5 for ONU faculty, staff and students. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com.
The ONU University Singers and ONU Chamber Singers round out the holiday concerts with its fall concert, “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas,” in the Recital Hall of the Presser Building on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.
The ONU University Singers, also directed by Ayling, will perform a varied selection of pieces, including works by Joseph M. Martin, Ethan Sperry, Antonio Lotti, F. Melius Christiansen, and Ysaya Barnwell.
Additionally, the choir will perform with special guest soloist Adriane Thompson Bradshaw, ONU vice president of student affairs. The ONU Chamber singers will sing a set of early music and Christmas carols leading into a holiday celebration of choral music by the University Singers. The choir is accompanied by Christopher Gray. This concert is free and open to the public.
