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Local students perform in expanded Christmas at Augustana
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Press release submitted by Augustana College Local students perform in expanded Christmas at Augustana ROCK ISLAND, IL (11/25/2009)(readMedia)-- Christmas at Augustana, a holiday concert featuring choir, band and orchestra ensembles, will return to Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.) in early December with an expanded schedule. Augustana student musicians and vocalists will perform on Friday, December 4, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 5, at 4 p.m. The music department added another concert this year after the ensembles played to a sold-out crowd at last year's inaugural concert. The concerts are truly an "advent of the Advent season," says Dr. Daniel Culver, orchestra director and department co-chair. "I look forward to working again with all of my colleagues in an ensemble effort. It is a marvelous opportunity for our students and audience alike. In the development of the program, we focused on bringing a sense of unity to the program and how it works with each ensemble." Audience members will experience a true celebration of Christmas with performances by seven ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, Ascension Singers, Wennerberg Men's Chorus and Cantilena Augustana, and the world premiere of "Veni Emmanuel (Come Emmanuel)" arranged by Augustana music faculty member Dr. David Davies. Dr. Jon Hurty, director of choral activities and department co-chair, says the opportunity to commission a new work is an added learning experience. "This adds an entirely new creative element to the program and exposes the students to great music that was written specifically for the occasion," says Hurty. "Bring your best singing voice," reminds Culver. The concerts also feature several well-known congregational hymns for a sing-along during the program. From your area, this year's performers include: Martha Ade, a first year from Moline, IL majoring in general studies. Samuel Alvarado, a senior from Davenport, IA majoring in chemistry. Alyssa Anderson, a first year from Lynn Center, IL majoring in general studies. Hannah Barney, a first year from Bettendorf, IA majoring in general studies. Joe Bright, a first year from Erie, IL majoring in general studies. Kevin Carton, a senior from Moline, IL majoring in speech communication, French, and Africana Studies. Katie Derrick, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL majoring in pre-elementary education. Ashley Heppner, a first year from Erie, IL majoring in general studies. Dylan Hinrichs, a first year from Sterling, IL majoring in general studies. Kjerstin Hurty, a first year from Moline, IL majoring in general studies. Caitlin Hyatt, a first year from Mineral, IL majoring in general studies. Gaetano Iaccarino, a sophomore from Davenport, IA majoring in pre-music education-instrumental and music performance-instrumental. Megan Keller, a sophomore from Taylor Ridge, IL majoring in accounting. Manisha Kumar, a first year from Davenport, IA majoring in general studies. Paul Lambrecht, a senior from Moline, IL majoring in teaching history. Thomas Larrison, a senior from Davenport, IA majoring in religion. Lauren Mentado, a first year from Moline, IL majoring in general studies. Bradley Moran, a sophomore from Aledo, IL majoring in pre-music education-vocal. Allison Mulherin, a senior from Moline, IL majoring in biology. Timothy Murga, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL majoring in biology. Justine Nuguid, a sophomore from Moline, IL majoring in pre-medicine and biology. Eric Pease, a first year from Sterling, IL majoring in general studies. Richard Rector, a first year from Davenport, IA majoring in general studies. Kelli Schledewitz, a senior from Davenport, IA majoring in teaching language/English. Kristen Schweppe, a sophomore from Sterling, IL majoring in pre-music education-vocal. Audrey Taylor, a junior from Moline, IL majoring in teaching biology. Calvin Vo, a first year from Moline, IL majoring in general studies. Peter Wiese, a first year from Davenport, IA majoring in general studies. Kelsey Wilson, a senior from Davenport, IA majoring in music education instrumental. Jennifer Youngs, a sophomore from Taylor Ridge, IL majoring in general studies. The Celebration of Christmas at Augustana is one of a series of performances planned for the Christmas season. The Handel Oratorio Society will perform the Messiah on Saturday, December 12, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall. The long-standing tradition, which began in 1879, involves more than 200 choir members from Augustana and the Quad-City community as well as a professional orchestra. The Augustana Chamber Singers and Office of Campus Ministries will present Lessons and Carols on Thursday, December 17, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This beautiful Christmas service chronicles Christ's birth through song and readings in Ascension Chapel (820 38th St). This event is free and open to the public. To order tickets for Christmas at Augustana or Messiah, log onto www.augustana.edu/tickets or call (309) 794-7306. 
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