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A perfect respite from holiday madness: the Lincoln College Holiday
Concert
By Curt Fox
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[December 02, 2013]
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah,
Christmas and New Year's — the holiday season upon us with all
of the family activities and travel associated with it. From the
shopping craziness of Black Friday to the ringing in of the new
year, the list of things to do can be overwhelming. One event that
comes every year and provides a relaxing evening of great music as a
counterpoint to the holiday rush is the annual Lincoln College
Holiday Concert. This year the concert will be on Saturday at 7:30
p.m. in the Johnston Center for Performing Arts on the college
campus.
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 With the spectacular success of the Nov. 15 jazz concert to a
standing-room crowd, the December concert promises to continue the
exceptional quality of music for which Lincoln College is known.
This time, Cynthia Fox, professor of vocal and choral studies,
will bring the Lincoln College Chorale and the Chamber Singers to
the main stage in the Johnston Center.
In past performances, she has selected a varied repertoire for
her choirs to perform. This year will continue that tradition. She
has chosen several African pieces as well as American spirituals,
classic jazz from Cole Porter and contemporary Christian pieces.
"I hope the community will come out for the concert and fills the
Johnston Center," she said. The rendition of "Mary, Did You Know"
alone is worth attending.
At previous performances of her choirs, it was evident that the
choir members were having as much fun with the performance as the
audience. Professor Fox says her conducting and music selection
makes "the performance all about the students." The enthusiasm and
energy emanating from the stage is apparent.
The exceptional quality of the LC choirs can be found in the
person conducting the performance from the piano on stage. Fox has
said that she prefers to conduct from the piano as she accompanies
the choirs, a technique that harkens back to the time of Mozart in
the 18th century.
"Leonard Bernstein used this same technique while conducting the
New York Philharmonic during performances where he was the principal
pianist. He was a genius," she said.
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Ms. Fox has performed internationally as a guest pianist with
orchestras and has also performed as a vocalist in operas in Europe.
The two choirs will be joined on stage by Professor Scott Woger's
jazz saxophone quartet. Also, members of Woger's brass line from the
Lincoln College Jazz Ensemble will perform in the lobby of the
Johnston Center.
Tickets for the Saturday concert are $2 for adults and $1 for
Lincoln College students and can be purchased at the Johnston Center
box office the day of the performance.
In addition to a wonderful evening of music, the concert will act
as a benefit for the Toys for Tots annual drive. The Lincoln College
Choir will partner with the campus chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor
society to collect unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Each person
donating an unwrapped toy at the concert will receive a chance to
win a $25 Visa gift card. The drawing for the gift cards will be at
the conclusion of the concert.
Professor Cynthia Fox may be contacted for more information at
217-732-3155, ext. 284, or
cfox@lincolncollege.edu.
[By CURT FOX]
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