Final recital for the year takes a different Christmas tune

Bringing the magic of Christmas with a fresh twist, the USQ Performance Centre will present one final concert of beautiful and uplifting music to mark the forthcoming festive season.

In the ambient setting of St Luke's Church, the USQ Performance Centre will provide something a little different from the traditional Christmas carols we usually hear, at the final West-Star Motors Twilight Recital for 2006.

The USQ Singers and the Camerata from USQ's Junior Academy of Music will perform with two talented student vocal soloists and two talented organists.

Conductor of the choir and Senior Lecturer in Music, Phillip Gearing, said although being set around a Christmas theme audiences will be treated to music that isn't often heard.

'It's Christmas music, but it isn't all carols. Audiences will be treated to delightful Christmas music that is different from the ordinary. It will be fresh and interesting,' Mr Gearing said.

'Included in the pieces is the Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams, which includes folk carols which are seldom heard.

'The audience will be treated to a variety of music from the middle ages through to the 21st Century.'

He said the audience will also get to hear lovely young voices and inspiring organ music.

'In addition to the choir there will be two talented young soloists, brother and sister Jon (baritone) and Jessica Maskell (soprano), who both are studying singing at USQ.'

Another student, Sarah Thake, will be oboe soloist in one of the works, and some organ solos appropriate for Christmas will be performed by Mr Gearing and Brisbane organist Greg Mayer.

'The recital provides the audience with the opportunity to hear refreshing music in preparation for Christmas, which makes the season more meaningful,' Mr Gearing said.

Pieces include Praetorius' Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (A rose has burst forth), a traditional French carol, What is this fragrance? arranged by Warland, a Christmas Cantata by Michael Haydn, Mozart's Ave verum corpus (Hail True Body), and more.

The concert will be held on Thursday 23 November from 6pm-7pm. Tickets cost $13.50 for Adults; $11 for Concession and $5.50 for Children and are available from the USQ Box Office on 07 4631 1111 or boxoffice@usq.edu.au. Tickets will also be available at the church prior to the concert.

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326
Alternative contact: Connie-Louise Alexander, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977