The concert will provide a mix of traditional and familiar holiday favorites, such as "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Deck the Halls," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," as well as classical pieces on the Christmas theme by composers Randall Thompson, Palestrina, and Penderecki. The Concert Choir will perform "Lux aeterna" by Porter, a piece he wrote on commission in memory of longtime St. Mary's Central High School band director, William J. Schmidt. The piece uses the traditional Latin chant and weaves together contemporary melodies and harmonies.

For the 15th time, the Gabrieli Brass will be part of the Christmas at Mary program, performing in the Venetian tradition, standing in choirs around the chapel as the strains of music pass from one choir to another. On their recent tour to Italy, the Gabrieli Brass performed in the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, where Gabrieli himself was organist and composer beginning in 1584. This season, several outstanding brass students from local high schools (Bismarck High School, Century High School, St. Mary's Central High School, Mandan High School) will join the university's brass performers along with U-Mary organist Jan Candee. "It's always enjoyable to present our Gabrieli Brass at this performance each year," notes Gowen. "The inclusion of these talented high school musicians makes this year's edition of Christmas at Mary even more special."

Prelude music prior to each performance will feature U-Mary chamber ensembles. The concerts are free and open to the public, and a reception will follow each concert in the foyer of the Gary Tharaldson School of Business.

"For many people in the community, Christmas at Mary marks the start of the holiday season," says Porter. "The variety of musical selections, the acoustical and visual beauty of Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, and the tremendous talent of the students combine into a joyous celebration of Christmas. We look forward to welcoming friends from throughout the region joining in this holiday tradition."

Concert Personnel

Concert Choir
Directed by Dr. Tom Porter

Soprano
Kristen Bakke, Bismarck ND
Brittany Bearsheart, Bismarck ND
Erica Belverstone, Bismarck ND
Sami Breiland, Williston ND
Elizabeth Hoeger, Grand Forks ND
Elizabeth Iseley, Edmonds WA
Jennifer Krumm, Hague ND
Theresa Mack, Rugby ND
Kendra Mortenson, Dickinson ND
Amber Olson, Mandan ND
Emily Rapkoch, Shelby MT
Tani Sailer, Bismarck ND
Sara Schuster, New Rockford ND
Mykala Senner, Bloomfield MT
Lydia Solberg, Williston ND
Joann Stacy, Great Bend KS
Danielle Wolf, Bismarck ND

Tenor
Jordan Boehm, Mandan ND
Kendall Fey, Ashley ND
Christopher Finneman, Fargo ND
Kyle Hasse, Roseville MN
Josh Johnson, Bismarck ND
Clayton Perala, Bismarck ND
Andy Robinson, Bismarck ND
Nick Trout, Motley MN

Alto
Britta Alstad, New Brighton MN
Amanda Chumley, Bismarck ND
Emily DeRung, Bismarck ND
Chelsie Engler, Hatton ND
Cymberley Estis, Opp AL
Megan Greene, Stevensville MT
Sami Helland, Wahpeton ND
Paige Johnson, Billings MT
Carrie Kaiserski, Helena MT
Megan Kapp, Jamestown ND
Krystal Laskowske, Grafton ND
Alyssa Mangin, Jamestown ND
Sarah Nelson, Grafton ND
Caitlin Nicks, Williston ND
Sierra Roshau, Dickinson ND
Karen Schaaf, Glen Ullin ND
Madeline Schueller, Pierre SD
Nikkita Starr, Beulah ND
Kelsey Thompson, Montana City MT
Rechelle Verlanic, Colstrip MT

Bass
Taylor Abler, Mayville ND
Jordan Bachman, Dickinson ND
Michael Berger, Bismarck ND
Stefan Boehm, Detroit Lakes, MN
Ryan Capouch, Portland ND
Craig Goettle, Donnybrook ND
Kirby Greger, Mobridge SD
Nicholas Knoblich, Ashley ND
Reed Peterson, Dickinson ND
Hunter Stemmer, Plymouth MN
James Taverna, Williston ND


Vocal Jazz
Directed by Dr. Tom Porter

Presley Becker, Bismarck ND
Erica Belverstone, Bismarck ND
Stefan Boehm, Detroit Lakes MN
Craig Goettle, Donnybrook ND
Lee Greuel, Minot ND
Renae Lange, Bismarck ND
Theresa Mack, Rugby ND
Lydia Solberg, Williston ND
Nikkita Starr, Beulah ND

Prelude Performers

University Trumpet Quartet
Jordan Boehm, Mandan ND
Julian Jaszczak, Williston ND
Theresa Mack, Rugby ND
Emily Rapkoch, Shelby MT

University Brass Quartet

Trumpets
Jordan Boehm, Mandan ND
Theresa Mack, Rugby ND

Horn
Krystal Laskowske, Grafton ND

Trombone
Daniel Bickler, Williston ND

Gabrieli Brass
Dennis Gowen, conductor

Canzon Quarti Toni Giovanni Gabrieli
ed. King
• = Special Guest Brass Students from Bismarck-Mandan Area High Schools

Trumpet
Taylor Abler, Mayville ND
Nathaniel Blake, Boise ID
*Michael Hebert (St. Mary's Central H.S.)
Julian Jaszczak, Williston ND
Jordan Kuznia, East Grand Forks MN
Theresa Mack, Rugby ND
*Kita Marquez (Bismarck H.S.)
Emily Rapkoch, Shelby MT
*Dan Russell (Bismarck H.S.)
Lydia Solberg, Williston ND
*Kristine Strege (Century H.S.)

Horn
*Shania Brooks (Century H.S.)
*Erika Gallaway (Bismarck H.S.)
Krystal Laskowske, Grafton ND
John Olheiser, Mandan ND
David Sorenson, Williston ND
James Taverna, Williston ND

Trombone
Jordan Bachman, Dickinson ND
Daniel Bickler, Williston ND
Ryan Capouch, Portland ND
Craig Goettle, Donnybrook ND
*Ashley Kilzer (St. Mary's Central H.S.)
*Keaton Rummel (St. Mary's Central H.S.)

Euphonium
Robin Gowen, Bismarck ND
*Kayla Miller (St. Mary's Central H.S.)

Tuba
*David Augustadt (U-M Music Alumna)
Jordan Boehm, Mandan ND
*Tanner Duppong (Bismarck H.S.)
Sky Froelich, Mandan ND
*Noah Krebs (St. Mary's Central H.S.)

Organ
Jan Candee