Vocal/Choral Division Commissions New Arrangements for Collaborative Choral and Brass Concert

Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Choral Activities Matt Oltman, D.M.A., and the Shenandoah Conservatory Vocal/Choral Division commissioned Vince Peterson ’24 (Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance), British composer Paul Ayres and Donald Fraser to prepare four new arrangements for choir, brass and piano. These arrangements will be featured in the Choral & Brass Ensembles concert on Sunday, Dec. 5, in Armstrong Concert Hall. The vocal and choral ensembles, under the direction of Oltman and Assistant Professor of Music Education (Choral Emphasis) Hillary Ridgley, Ph.D., join the Ruebush Brass Band, under the direction of Director of Jazz Studies and Artist-in-Residence of Trombone Matthew Niess, D.M.A., for a special evening of classical and contemporary holiday favorites.

Professor Emerita of Voice, Choral Conducting and Choral Music Karen Keating ’02, premiered two of Ayres’ pieces with the Cantus Singers in 2018. Fraser will arrange the “This Christmastide” (also known as “Jessye’s Carol,” as it was written and recorded by Jessye Norman).