The sound of holiday cheer rang throughout Hendricks Chapel on Sunday evening as various musical groups participated in ‘Holidays at Hendricks.’

‘I thought it was great. It certainly put me into the mood for the holidays,’ said Willie Santiago, a junior music education major at Syracuse University.

‘Holiday at Hendricks’ was a free concert held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday that consisted of performances by the Hendricks Chapel Choir, Hendricks Chapel Handbell Ringers, SU Brass Ensemble, university organist Kola Owolabi and guitarist Kenneth Meyer.

The concert began with the SU Brass Ensemble playing in the aisles. The ensemble was followed by the Hendricks Chapel Choir, singing while entering from the back of the room. The concert consisted of such songs as ‘Sleigh Ride,’ ‘Joy to the World’ and an interesting arrangement of the ‘Nutcracker Suite,’ which featured the narration of Bruce Paulsen in between movements. The concert concluded with ‘Silent Night,’ prompting the audience to light candles in unison.

‘Holiday at Hendricks’ is an annual concert that occurs the first weekend of December. This year’s concert overflowed Hendricks. Ginny Yerdon, a Hendricks staff member, said every one of the 900 pamphlets printed for the concert was given out. Some of the audience sat in the balcony aisles while other audience members were forced to stand.

Many of the people who came to the concert also brought canned food with them. Hendricks collected food at the concert for migrant farm workers, and the food is expected to be delivered next week. Donations were collected at the door to sponsor the choir on an international tour it takes every four years.

Overall, the full audience seemed to appreciate the concert, not only for its good music, but also as a great start to the holiday season.

‘I think it went beautifully. It was a terrific crowd,’ Yerdon said. ‘I think they always do a really nice job. This year was no exception.’

Glorianne Picini, a junior photojournalism and history major, really enjoyed the concert as well. At first, she was not sure if she had the time to attend the concert because she was busy studying, but she wanted to join Bible group at the event.

‘It was magnificent,’ she said. ‘It was really soothing, beautiful, reminded me that this season is all about Christ and not all of the hectic life surrounding finals.’

Santiago, the junior studying music education, missed out on his chance to see the concert during the last two years, but he said he was glad to finally see it.

‘It’s definitely something worthwhile coming to every year. It definitely puts you in a good mood, and it’s very heartwarming,’ he said.

Sarah Perry, a freshman music education major, also enjoyed the concert.

‘It was really good. I didn’t know what to expect,’ she said. ‘People should definitely come again next year. It was really packed this year, but it should continue to be packed.’

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Published on December 4, 2011 at 12:00 pm

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