“Songs of Christmas,” starring the Citrus College Vocal Ensemble features a range of holiday songs from pop to traditional such as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Because It’s Christmas” and “A Christmas Love Song.”
Professor Martin Green, director of the Citrus vocal ensemble and concert choir, said his voice classes are stronger than ever.
“I am very encouraged this year,” Green said. “I think people will be surprised at the quality of music.”
The special guest of this year’s showcase is Citrus Singers music director Allen Everman, who will perform on a piano.
“There is some challenging piano music, so Green is excited to have me,” Everman said.
“I try to find difficult piano accompaniments that are entertaining,” Green said.
In addition, six alumni of the music program have been invited to the concert as guests and will also be perform solos and duets.
“I have invited more quality soloists than I have had in the past,” Green said.
All vocal music classes from the beginning to advanced level will perform together for first time during “Songs of Christmas.”
“It is a nice way to end the semester rather than a final exam where you just stand and get critiques,” Everman said.
Everman said “Songs of Christmas” is unique because all the voice classes that have never rehearsed together put on one production.
Green said this year the students are ready to perform any time because they have preparing for this show a long time.
“I pushed them very hard,” he said.
Green wrote all the arrangements for the program during the summer.
Students have been working on this program since September.
At the beginning of the semester, the students were given sheet music and audio files to listen to and practice.
Music major Hannah Bartman said the students have been singing these songs every day.
Bartman will be performing a solo in “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
It is her first Christmas performance in the Haugh Performing Arts Center.
Andrew Penaruvia, 19, music, communication and acting major, said Green gives individual instruction as well as group lessons.
Green produced and directed the “Songs of Christmas” for the first time in 1998 and has continued to conduct the show ever since.
“It is going to be fun, and it is very cheerful,” Bartman said.
“Songs of Christmas” will take place in the HPAC on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $5 and are available online at the HPAC website or at the box office.
