Noel Night Concert Set for Dec. 7

Just in time for the holiday season, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present its 52nd annual Noel Night concert on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Beginning at 8 p.m. in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, the concert will feature The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles with organist/pianist Timothy Smith, D.M.A., and trumpeter Mark Gould serving as guest performers.

A prelude with performances by members of the Performance Music instrumental ensembles will begin at 7 p.m.

Admission to the concert is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The University’s Christmas gift to the community, Noel Night has become a beloved holiday tradition for many Scranton-area residents since its creation over a half-century ago.

“It’s always a wonderful evening,” said Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga.

At the concert, the 50-plus voice student mixed choir will be joined by the guest musicians and leaders of the University community, who will offer greetings and readings of the Nativity Martyrology and St. Luke Nativity Narrative.

Since 2010, Dr. Smith has served as the director of music and organist at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Scranton. Prior to that, he served in the same position at New York City’s famed Riverside Church from 1992 to 2008. A graduate of Yale University with a doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music, he has performed with numerous orchestras throughout the New York City area and has served as university organist at Columbia University since 2000.

Dr. Smith has recorded for the Pro Organo, Philips Classic, JAV and Gothic labels, and has performed at a number of high-profile venues through the years, including the cathedrals of Chartres, Beauvais, Notre-Dame, and the Church of St. Germain-des-Prez in France, and the Lincoln and Wells cathedrals in Great Britain. His performances have received praise in such publications as The American Organist, The American Record Guide and Choir and Organ.

“He’s a world-class organist. I’m so happy and grateful that Covenant brought him to Scranton – he is an incredible addition to our community,” Boga said of Dr. Smith.

A longtime Performance Music collaborator and member of the brass and ensembles faculties at New York City’s Mannes School of Music, Gould served as the principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra from 1974-2003.

Gould has conducted and performed as a soloist with the Seattle Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Colorado Philharmonic, Buffalo Symphony, Juilliard Wind Ensemble, the Waterloo Festival, the Caramoor Festival and the Vermont Mozart Festival Orchestra. He’s recorded several albums as director of the New York Trumpet Ensemble, and has been a frequent guest with Speculum Musicae, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the MET Chamber Ensemble, Empire Brass, Canadian Brass, Summit Brass, the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble and Extension Ensemble.

For further information on the Noel Night concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music.