Patrons packed NIC’s Schuler Performing Arts Center for the music departments “Sounds of Christmas” concert Saturday evening Dec. 3. The NIC Cardinal Chorale, Chamber Singers, Jazz Co. and Wind Symphony, performed holiday music from around the world, including pieces composed by locals.
“It’s a chance for us to begin early in December to start spreading cheer,” said Max Mendez, choir director.
The NIC Cardinal Chorale, conducted by Mendez, initiated the show. “Wana Baraka,” a traditional Kenyan song, began with Cindy Mitchell on the djembe. About half the Chorale sang on stage while the other half stood throughout the aisles singing. All members joined the stage for “Still, Still, Still,” a quiet Austrian Carol. Suzanne Jenkins accompanied the Chorale on the flute for “A Midnight Clear.” “Ave Maria” and “Goin’ to Bethlehem” were both a cappella performances. The Chorale ended with a French carol “Sing We Now of Christmas,” accompanied by Caroline Jess on the piano.
The NIC Chamber Singers began with the soft and slow “Veni, Veni Emmanuel,” an eighth century chant. “O Magnum Mysterium,” a staple of the Latin Church, was sung next. Mendez accompanied the Chamber Singers on guitar for “Personent Hodie,” fourteenth century Latin carol. The Chamber Singers then performed a cappella version of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. They closed with “Born on a New Day,” by John David and Philip Lawton.
The NIC Jazz Co. began their performance with a playful version of “You’re a Mean One Mister Grinch,” conducted by Mendez, and concluded their performance with the upbeat, traditional French carol, “Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella,” accompanied by a rhythm section comprised of a box Cajon and a bass guitar.
After the intermission, the NIC Wind Symphony, conducted by band director Terry M.L. Jones, performed songs composed by Gerard Mathes, NIC music instructor and Tom Tucker, Wind Symphony member. According to Jones, good quality Christmas band music is hard to find, so both men have composed numerous pieces for the Wind Symphony. The Wind Symphony began with “Holiday Bell Carol,” composed by Tom Tucker. Next was the quirky and cinematic “Little Bell,” composed by Mathes. After “The Eighth Candle,” a Hanukkah song by Steve Reister, the NIC Cardinal Choral resumed the stage.
“I liked the two pieces composed by the NIC people, “ said Even Emerson, 29, who graduated from the NIC nursing program. “I thought they were the two best.”
They began with “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which was soon interrupted by Santa walking down the aisle. The banter between Mendez and Santa introduced the closing number, “A Holiday Sing Along,” which joined the Cardinal Choral, the Wind Symphony and the audience.
“It was really fun to be here tonight,” said Caleb Van Etten, 18, Coeur d’Alene, forestry. “Most of all, the crowd was very fun to be around.” Santa was able to get the entire auditorium to stand and sing holiday favorites such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “We Wish you a Merry Christmas.”
