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The holiday program presented by the music department on Saturday night was a fitting tribute to the wide variety of performance classes PCC has to offer. The event contained both traditional and non-traditional music selections to initiate the holiday season. The combination showcased student expertise in a variety of music and dance expressions.Professor Anne Marie Ketchum narrated the evening and professor Jo Raquel Stoop conducted.
The orchestra played a variety of selections from “The Nutcracker Suite” by Peter Tchaikovsky.

Highlights of the evening included the orchestra’s performance of the classic version of “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, complete with the clippity-cloppity sound of horse hooves produced by the percussion section.

The African Drum Ensemble with dancers demonstrated the origins of hip-hop with their traditional African repertoire.
Jessine Johnson, along with the Opera Workshop and orchestra, performed the “Doll Song” by Jacques Offenbach and were pleasing to the ear.

Also featured were the PCC Chamber Singers, the Lancer Jazz Choir, and the Concert Choir. The Jazz Choir performed a smooth-as-hot-chocolate version of “Winter Wonderland.” Afterwards the Jazz Rock Big Band performed a rousing and boisterous version of the same song.

The Concert Choir and orchestra performed two traditional pieces from Handel’s “Messiah”: “And the Glory of the Lord” in addition to the classic “Hallelujah Chorus”.

The Dance Ensemble performed several ballet pieces admirably.

The orchestra sounded a little under rehearsed and pitch was a bit of an issue in a few places. Overall, they were delightful. The singing ensembles performed expertly.

The Jazz Rock Big Band got the joint jumpin’ and they brought a lot of joy to the evening.

The acoustics of the venue, Sexson Auditorium, did not support the efforts of the musicians and conductor. The auditorium seems to swallow up sound. Even sitting 6 to 8 rows from the stage, it was difficult to hear the subtleties of the music.

Since Sexson Auditorium was built as a theatrical stage with a very tall fly tower where the theatrical rigging is housed, it feels as if all the sound goes into the riggings and not out to the audience.

The music department is varied and has a lot to offer, and PCC has such great feeder high schools, that it’s a shame to have the musicians’ talents and hard work drowning in an obsolete venue.

If you missed this concert check out the PCC website for more performances by these ensembles coming up in December.

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