Rider University Band and Choir catch the holiday fever

By Annmarie Mercieri

‘Tis the season, and with it comes festive music to put everyone in the holiday spirit.
The Rider University Band and Choir will be performing their annual Holiday Concert on Monday, Dec. 5, beginning at 7 p.m.

“It’s better than ever,” said band conductor and Fine Arts professor Dr. Jerry Rife. “The music is more difficult than we have ever been able to play. The band is better, and we now have many seniors with a lot of music under their belts.”

The local Blawenburg Band will join the Rider band. Every year, the two groups come together for one large sound. Rife said when he first came to Rider in ’84, he combined the bands because he originally didn’t have enough members to create a full band.

“It’s great because Rider students can see that there is music to be made even after they graduate,” said Rife. “And it’s good for the members in the Blawenburg Band to be sitting next to some young and dedicated kids.”

This is Rife’s 43rd concert, and he is excited to be playing such difficult pieces. Rife said three years ago, the band would have never been able to play music this advanced.

“It’s so much fun,” he said. “Screaming people, Christmas songs, a nice overture from an opera and a ‘Three Kings’ trumpet solo.”

Although it is the season for holiday spirit, more students in the band are excited to be performing one piece entitled “The Haunted Carnival,” a deep, spooky ensemble.

“I think my favorite piece would have to be ‘The Haunted Carnival,’” said senior oboist Rebecca Knab. “It has a little surprise at the end.”

In between the band and choir performances will be the Rider Dixieland Band with assorted Spoon soloists, yes — Spoons.

Also performing is the Chorale, a small, auditioned group.

“I’m really excited about performing with the Chorale,” said sophomore Aurora Slothus.
The Rider University Choir plans to bring in the Hanukkah spirit with pieces such as “Si Vivon,” “Sim Shalom,” and Chorale’s “Five Hebrew Love Songs.” Under the direction of Professor Craig Tipton, the performance promises a wide variety of different holiday
ensembles.

“I love singing the ‘Five Hebrew Love Songs,’” Slothus said. “It’s very different, and I’ve never done anything like it before.”

Monday night is an opportunity for the community to experience the hard work of their peers, said Knab.

“People may see these students in class everyday but you may not know how talented they are,” she said.

To put listeners into more of a Christmas spirit, the band will be performing “Sleigh Ride,” and the choir will sing “Carol of the Bells.” The band will also be performing an interesting piece entitled “Morning Has Broken.”

“This piece was arranged by Carrie Gelnar, a Westminster composition major,” said Rife. “The great part is that the composer will be there Monday night.”

It is a great way to finish off the semester, said Slothus. She said it is nice to have something like this before finals, to just relax and enjoy the holiday spirit.

“Woody Allen once said that 90 percent of life is showing up,” said Rife. “Just go. That’s what college should be about. Go and do new things that you’ve never experienced before. It’s going to be darn exciting.”