UW Collegiate Chorale to Perform Dec. 9 at St. Matthews Cathedral

The University of Wyoming Collegiate Chorale will present its popular annual candlelight concert Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Cathedral.

UW Department of Music Associate Professor Nicole Lamartine directs the choir, accompanied by pianist Lisa Rickard. Seating is general admission, with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $10.50 for the public; $7.50 for senior citizens, faculty and staff; and $6.50 for students. Tickets are available at the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts box office and the Wyoming Union information desk, by calling (307) 766-6666 or going online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

“This season brings opportunity for sharing, giving, healing, peace and strengthening community, and the program, ‘Be With Me,’ offers a variety of music to highlight these themes,” Lamartine says.

The rousing setting of “Brightest and Best,” an early American folk hymn, serves as the connective music. Members of the choir offer their own poetry in between the music, and Jeff Selden will join the chorale in Alf Houkom’s “The Rune of Hospitality.”

The ensemble’s graduating seniors will be featured on “Teach Us Love” by Karen P. Thomas and “Be Like the Bird” by Abbie Betinis, the granddaughter of musician Alfred Burt. Rickard offers piano improvisations on well-known carols, and members of the faculty ensemble “Lights Along the Shore” will perform pre-concert music.

“As is tradition, the concert concludes with candlelight illuminating the church as everyone sings ‘Silent Night,’” Lamartine adds. “This annual concert is always sold out, so get your tickets soon.”

For more information, contact Lamartine at (307) 766-5242 or email choir@uwyo.edu.