The Colgate University Chamber Singers embraced an opportunity to move from concert stage to recording studio for a performance of holiday pieces that will be televised in areas of New York and northern Pennsylvania.
Director James Niblock and the 12 student performers were asked to appear on Expressions: Holiday Harmonies, a program produced by WSKG, a Public Broadcasting Service affiliate in Vestal, N.Y.
The Chamber Singers and the Ithaca Children's Choir each appear for 30 minutes of the hourlong program that will air 8 p.m. today (Dec. 4) and 2 p.m. Dec. 25.
Niblock said viewers will be treated to "a broad, eclectic mix of works" from the Colgate performers, including a medieval carol titled Lullay My Liking, a piece set to an Edgar Allen Poe poem called Sledge Bells, a Calypso carol -- Mary's Little Boy Child, and Deck the Halls, a traditional favorite performed with a rhythmic twist.
"The recording session was a real eye-opener for the students," said Niblock. "They got to see how the process works, how the musical needs and the technical needs both have to be satisfied."
Jaleith Gary '09 said the WSKG crew provided a comfortable atmosphere and helped her understand what it takes to connect with an audience through a camera lens.
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The Colgate University Chamber Singers and director James Niblock (far left) appear in the WSKG studio during their Nov 12 recording session.
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Gary and fellow seniors Kaelyn Lowmaster and Lyndsay Werking performed solos, accompanied by the university's pianist/organist Glenn Kime.
"Preparing for a television recording session took more effort in terms of rehearsal and musicianship than many of us anticipated," said Lowmaster. "But we grew as an ensemble, we got to try a type of performance that was new for all of us, and now we are minor celebrities!"
Niblock, the music department's director of choral and vocal activities, said the students' productive early rehearsals gave him confidence that they could succeed in the studio, so he agreed to the station's invitation. He pointed out that there are seven new members in the ensemble, four of them first-years.
"Performing in the studio was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life," said Matthew Kolar '12. "Who knows, maybe someday I'll do it again."
Tina Reinhard, WSKG program coordinator, said the station might post the shows on its website at a later date for those not in the viewing area. Niblock said he will get DVDs of the performance and make those available.