Dr. Yoojin Muhn of UTSA will lead the Grand Symphony Chorus at the Symphony of the Hills Holiday Hopes concert on Dec 2.
Nov 11, 2021–It’s going to be a full house at the Cailloux Theater for the Symphony of the Hills’ Holiday Hopes concert on December 2, and that’s only on the stage. Because joining the 70-piece orchestra will be the 60-voice Grand Symphony Chorus.
“We’ve got this incredible choir coming from the University of Texas at San Antonio,” said Dr. Eugene Dowdy, Conductor and Musical Director of Symphony of the Hills. “We needed a guest chorus to help us perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and we were able to bring in all these music majors and some incredible, highly-talented singers.”
Those include the UTSA Chamber Singers and select students from the UTSA Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Yoojin Muhn, Director of Choral Activities. They will be joining vocalists from various Kerrville choirs and individual singers.
“I was very excited when Gene reached out to us about this great opportunity,” Muhn said. “After the pandemic last year, we have not had many chances to perform these masterworks with an orchestra. So this will be a great outreach for our students and for our department. I wish we could bring all my students.”
On the program that evening is
- Englebert Humperdinck – Overture to Hansel and Gretel
- Peter Lawson – Christmas in Lapland
- Ernest Bloch – Prayer from Jewish Life, Qizhen Liu, cello soloist
- Samuel Coleridge Taylor – Christmas Overture
- Christmas Carol Sing Along
- Beethoven – Symphony No. 9, Finale
Qizhen Liu
The Grand Symphony Chorus will be featured in the Finale, along with soloists Jennifer Bird-Arvidsson, soprano; Virginia Dupuy, alto; Eric Laine, tenor; and Christopher Besch, bass.
Christopher Besch
Jennifer Bird
Virginia Dupuy
Eric Laine
It will be a seminal moment, according to Dowdy.
“As we think back on what we’ve been through this past year, joining our orchestra and choir on Beethoven’s Symphony is going to be incredible,” he said.
Muhn echoed Dowdy’s sentiments as she looked forward to connecting with the Kerrville audience.
“It will be an absolute joy, especially this year,” she said. “It has been a challenging time. This music really speaks to us, and we embrace the chance to work together. It sends such a great message, and the music brings such a special spirit to me. It will be a great chance for all of us to prepare for a new year of hope and encouragement.”
Details:
The Symphony of the Hills presents “Holiday Hopes: dream, pray, love” on Thursday, December 2, 2021, 7:30 p.m., at the Cailloux Theater, 910 Main, Kerrville TX.
Seats can be reserved online at caillouxperformingarts.com or by calling or visiting the Cailloux Theater Box Office, (830) 896-9393. Box Office window hours are 10am to 1pm Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm Saturday. Tickets start at $25.
