Christmas music of the ages to fill Lee Hall auditorium at MSU

Contact: Kenneth Billings

STARKVILLE, Miss.--The Starkville-Mississippi State Symphony Chamber Orchestra performs music of the Christmas season during a free Dec. 4 concert in the university's Lee Hall auditorium.

Featuring MSU music department faculty members and the University of Memphis Graduate String Quartet, the 7:30 p.m. event is made possible by a grant from the J.W. Criss Foundation. Selections range from works of the Baroque period to those of contemporary times.

Excerpts from Handel's "Messiah" will feature assistant professor Iwao Asakura and departmental colleagues Rebecca and Greg Wascoe. Rebecca Wascoe's vocal talents also will be emphasized in Scarlatti's "Christmas Cantata," as well as two traditional favorites, "Gesu Bambino" and "O Holy Night."

Assistant professor Michael Huff will present "The Prayer of St. Gregory" by 20th century American composer Alan Hovhaness. He will be followed by the U.M. quartet's collaboration with the orchestra for Corelli's "Christmas Concerto Grosso."

With associate professor Richard Human directing, the MSU Trombone Ensemble is providing a carol prelude for the concert, while the Golden Triangle Brass Quintet/MSU Faculty Brass contributes several holiday favorites.

For more information, contact Candy Crecink at 662-324-3080.

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.