11/13/13 lar local
The Department of Music and Theatre at Fort Hays State University is preparing for its 28th annual Christmas concert in the beautiful and historic St. Fidelis Catholic Church, "Cathedral of the Plains" in Victoria. The Cathedral Concert will be at 3 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

This year will feature the Fort Hays Singers, the FHSU Concert Choir and the Smoky Hill Chorale, all conducted by Dr. Terry Crull, associate professor of music and theatre, and two guest choirs, the Hays High School Chamber Singers and the Hays Middle School Honor Choir. The FHSU Brass Choir, the String Sinfonietta and other FHSU music faculty will also perform.

A sinfonietta is larger than an ensemble, but smaller than a full-sized orchestra. The FHSU String Sinfonietta is composed of violin, viola and cello.

The Fort Hays Singers, the top choral ensemble on campus, will team up with the Hays Middle School Honor Choir in "Ave Maris Stella," composed by Mark Thomas. The Fort Hays Singers will also sing a "modern rendition of 'O Come, Emmanuel,'" said Crull.

Greg Jones, Pratt senior, will conduct the FHSU Concert Choir as it performs David Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata." Evan Strong, Pratt senior, will conduct the concert choir as they sing "In Dulci Jubilo" by Michael Praetorius.

The Smoky Hill Chorale, a community choir, will sing traditional Christmas carols such as "Of the Father's Love Begotten" and "What Child is this?" At this time, the entire congregation is invited to sing Christmas carols as Tom Meagher, Wilson Elementary School principal, accompanies on organ.

Instrumental selections include pieces by the FHSU Brass Choir and the FHSU Faculty Brass Quartet. Dr. Judith Ofcarcek, assistant professor of music and theatre, will play organ.

Admission is free.