The sound of more than 50 instruments will fill the Wheeler Stage as members of the Taylor University Wind Ensemble spread Christmas cheer through their music — and their festive sweaters.
The Wind Ensemble will perform 30 minutes’ worth of joyful tunes on Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the LaRita Boren Campus Center, featuring holiday classics like “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson and a “Sing-A-Long” of familiar Christmas carols.
Most of the ensemble’s performance will feature all of the musicians playing together, but smaller groups will take the spotlight for certain pieces.
“Sometimes with a surprise selection by TU Horn Quartet or other chamber music ensemble,” Christopher Bade, professor of music, woodwinds and orchestra, said.
Before the music begins, the ensemble will host a lighthearted competition for the best Christmas outfit worn by the instrumentalists.
From checkered black-and-white sweaters, puppies in Santa hats, and snowflake leggings, every performer will dress in their most festive attire rather than the typical concert black.
“I always think it’s fun; we all wear Christmas sweaters, and we vote on who has the best Christmas sweater before the concert,” Elizabeth Shatzer, a junior music education major, said. “So we’re all sitting there, and he has whoever’s wearing them stand up, and we vote on who’s got the best one.”
The Pops Concert serves as both a holiday celebration and the ensemble’s final performance of the Fall semester.
It is a culmination of months of rehearsal and hard work. It is also an opportunity for the musicians to play familiar seasonal favorites alongside more challenging pieces that push their skills.
Shatzer said it is a good learning experience, and a lot of fun as most songs are recognizable from soundtracks or other concerts.
“I love my section,” Shatzer said. “The few of us that play oboe. I love them so much. And I just like when we’re able to play a piece and we finally get that one passage that’s super tricky, and we got it. We ran through it. We’re good.”
Audience members should also be ready for a few surprises. Last year, Bade threw candy canes into the audience during the concert, so there is potential for more surprises this year.
Naomi Atanus, a sophomore music management major, spoke about how beautiful it is to create anything with any sheet of music. Where a bar of notes once looked like another language, it becomes transformed into a piece of magic.
“TUWE presents this joyful, fun concert free of charge, especially to honor the arrival of our Savior Jesus as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and for the tireless staff and workers on our campus who make sacrifices for us all to partake in the enrichment of a Taylor University experience,” Bade said.
The Taylor University Wind Ensemble invites everyone to put on their favorite Christmas sweaters and join in the festive fun with singing and dancing,celebrating the sounds of the season we all know and love.
