As early December’s rush of holiday parades, TV specials, tree lightings and parties recedes and the 25th nears, for many the focus becomes more reflective. To that purpose, Rachel Delk, Margaret Mary Henry and Alisa Toy will combine their musical talents Dec. 22 in “Carols for the Christ Child.” The hour-long program presented by the Columbus Arts Council at 7 p.m. takes place in Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus.
“These three ladies are well known in our area for their beautiful voices and incredible musical talent,” said Beverly Norris, CAC program manager. “We can definitely say that this will be a very special evening.”
Traditional carols including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” and “What Child is This?” will join spirituals such as “Go Tell It On the Mountain” and “The Little Cradle Rocks Tonight in Glory.” Classics like “O Holy Night” and “I Wander As I Wander” will also be presented in a variety of solos, duets and trio performances.
“We proposed this program as a way to honor Jesus. Although many fine secular songs have been written for the Christmas season, we wanted to sing carols that convey the true meaning of Christmas,” said Henry, a cantor and former choir director at Annunciation Catholic Church. A former journalist, Henry held the Gibbons chair in journalism at MUW while an instructor there. She teaches Russian and Spanish at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. In 2010, she took first place in the avocational student category of the National Association of Teachers of Singing state chapter competition.
Toy, an alumna of MUW, conducts the Columbus Choral Society, the Starkville Homeschool Music Cooperative High School Concert Choir and the northern Mississippi regional choir for her church. She placed first in the southern region National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in 2011 and has soloed around the world. A native of Alberta, Canada, Toy teaches voice and piano.
Delk, another MUW graduate, sang with the MUW Chorale, Jazz Band, New Horizons and Madrigals. She was named Most Outstanding Student in Music in 2007 and 2008 and currently teaches piano, voice and guitar. She is accompanist and assistant director for the Columbus Girlchoir as well as accompanist for the MUW Chamber Singers, Chorale and W voice students. She serves as music director at First United Methodist Church of West Point and for Catholic services at Columbus Air Force Base.
“Because the flurry of Christmas musical celebration typically occurs in the first two weeks of December, we purposely chose this date closer to the actual date of Christmas as a way to prepare the heart of the listener for the true purpose of the season,” Toy said.
How to go
Event tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Get advance tickets at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787 or visit columbus-arts.org.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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