Inside Iowa State
Dec. 1, 1995


        New Groups Join Holiday Music Festival

by Curt M. Pratt, News Service intern
Two new vocal ensembles will add their talents to Iowa 
State's five choirs during the 40th annual Holiday Festival 
of Music on Saturday, Dec. 2.

"The Holiday Festival of Music is always an event that is the 
high point of the year for the choral community around Ames," 
said Robert Molison, director of choral activities at ISU and 
professor of music. "It is our gift to the community."
This year's theme, "Peace and Joy," will be showcased in two 
concerts.

"We need a little of both around this time of year," said 
Molison, "and I hope that this concert will give ISU and the 
community of Ames a lot of each."

The 2 p.m. Family Concert is designed to interest all members 
of the family. The music is light and features the 39-voice 
Ames Children's Choir, as well as the ISU Vocal Jazz 
ensemble. Both groups were launched this fall. They will 
share the stage with the 80-voice University Chorus, the ISU 
Men's Glee Club, and the Collegiate United Methodist Church's 
Handbell Choir. The combined choirs will sing Joy in 
Jerusalem, a work that brings together Palestinian, Chassidic 
and traditional Hebrew melodies in a symbolic plea for unity 
and peace.

The 7:30 p.m. Evening Concert emphasizes more traditional 
choir music, said Molison, who will lead the Iowa State 
Singers in music from Russia, Africa and America. 

"This year we are doing something different," Molison said. 
"The songs will have a more international nature to them 
instead of the traditional holiday carols.  This festival 
will be a melding and blending together of many cultures."

The ISU Brass Choir will join all of the choirs to perform 
Anthem of Peace and the medieval hymn Gaudete.

The audience will be invited to participate in traditional 
carols during both concerts, which will be held at Stephens 
Auditorium, said Molison.

Tickets are $6 ($4 for students and $5 for senior citizens) 
and are available at the Iowa State Center box office or 
Ticket-Master locations.

__________
University Relations
Iowa State University