THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY College of Music presents
Seasonal Celebration
Chamber Choir, Michael Hanawalt, Director
Choral Union, Michael Hanawalt, Director
Collegians, Kevin Fenton, Director
Gospel Choir, Jeremy Moore, Director
Levana, McKenna Stenson, Director
Tallahassee Community Chorus, Michael Hanawalt, Director
University Singers, Kevin Fenton, Director
Vocal Jazz, Bryan Stenson, Director
Graduate Associate Conductors:
Joshua Butler, Augusto Girotto, Sarita Gustely, Rose Hellmers
Isiah Maxey, Jeremy Moore, Steven Olson, Ruth Springer
Colby White, Elaina Wilson, and Harold Wright
Sunday, December 7, 2025
7:30 p.m. | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
To Ensure An Enjoyable Concert Experience For All…
Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting during performances. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Recording or broadcasting of the concert by any means, including the use of digital cameras, cell phones, or other devices is expressly forbidden. Please deactivate all portable electronic devices including watches, cell phones, pagers, hand-held gaming devices or other electronic equipment that may distract the audience or performers.
Recording Notice: This performance may be recorded. Please note that members of the audience may at times be included in this process. By attending this performance you consent to have your image or likeness appear in any live or recorded video or other transmission or reproduction made in conjunction to the performance.
Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at (850) 644-3424 at least five working days prior to a musical event to request accommodation for disability or alternative program format.
Veni, Veni Emmanuel
PROGRAM
Lobby Music
Capital Bells, Tallahassee’s Community Hand Bell Choir
Combined Choirs
Owen Montgomery, Bryden Reeves, Lawrence Bell Fitzgerald Turner, percussion
Judy Arthur, piano
McKenna Stenson, conductor
Light Everlasting Olaf Christiansen (1901–1984)
Choral Union
Rose Hellmers, conductor
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Op. 75, No. 2
Choral Union
Jeremiah Tacey & Grayson Dannelly, percussion
Harold Wright, piano
Steven Olson, conductor
Lux
John Gardner (1917–2011)
Chamber Choir
Sarita Gustely, conductor
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day arr. Skip Stradtman
Collegians
Judy Arthur, piano
Kevin Fenton, conductor
Capital Bells Tallahassee Community Handbell Choir
Claudia Dew, conductor
Michael John Trotta (b. 1979)
O Nata
Morten Lauridsen from Lux Aeterna (b. 1943)
(b. 1933)
Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind
Jennifer Lucy Cook (b. 1988)
Text: William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Levana
Amy Arredondo, Ava Stein, Madilyn Taylor, Monica Turner, descant
Owen Montgomery, Bryden Reeves, Lawrence Bell Fitzgerald Turner, percussion
Rose Hellmers, conductor
Ave Generosa
Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)
Text: Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179)
Levana
Amy Arredondo, Kristen Beck, Joanna Samuel, Ava Stein, soloists
McKenna Stenson, conductor
Joy to the World
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Text: Isaac Watts (1674–1748) arr. Derric Johnson
University Singers
Harold Wright, conductor
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus Leon Rene (1902–1982) arr. Greg Jasperse
Vocal Jazz
Kayla Vargese, soloist
Bryden Reeves, piano; Myles Robinson, bass; Lawrence Turner, drumset
Elaina Wilson, conductor
Toyland Victor Herbert (1859–1924)
Text: Glen MacDonough (1870–1924) arr. David von Kampen (b. 1986)
Vocal Jazz
Byran Stenson, conductor
Merry Christmas Happy Holidays NSYNC
arr. Roger Emerson (b. 1950)
Vocal Jazz
Layla Mander, Reese Cooper, & Jordan-Taylor McIntosh, soloists
Bryden Reeves, piano; Michael Robinson, bass; Lawrence Turner, drumset
Bryan Stenson, conductor
Child of Peace Jeffrey Van (b. 1941)
University Singers
Kiley Berkery, soloist; Logan Florence, guitar
Colby White, conductor
Rise, Shine!
When Christmas Morn is Dawning
Chamber Choir
Judy Arthur, piano
Isiah Maxey, conductor
arr. Marques Garrett/Tom Trenney (b. 1984)/(b. 1977)
Kyle Pederson (b. 1971)
Collegians
Lorin Zamer, oboe
Judy Arthur, piano
Jeremy Moore, conductor
Audience Sing-Along
Led by Marcy Stonikas, soprano; Judy Arthur, piano
White Christmas
Chorus
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know, Where the tree-tops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with ev’ry Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white. (repeat)
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Piotrowi Skardze (1536–1612)
Text: Edith M.G. Reed (1885–1933)
Gospel Choir
Fernando Garcia, celesta; Myles Robinson, bass guitar; MJ Frazier, drumset
Jeremy Moore, conductor
Now Behold the Lamb Kirk Franklin (b. 1970)
Gospel Choir
Izzy Martinez, soloist
Jeremy Moore, conductor
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Marcy Stonikas, soprano
Judy Arthur, piano
Robert Wells/Mel Tormé (1922–1998)/(1925–1999)
Keep Yo’ Lamps
African American Spiritual arr. Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962)
Owen Montgomery, Bryden Reeves, Lawrence Bell Fitzgerald Turner, percussion
Joshua Butler, conductor
Long, Long Ago
Tallahassee Community Chorus
Judy Arthur, piano
Augusto Girotto, conductor
Sarah Quartel (b. 1982)
Text: Katherine Parker
Joy to the World
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Text: Isaac Watts (1674–1748)
arr: John Rutter (b. 1945)
Holiday Road
Tallahassee Community Chorus
Judy Arthur, piano
Ruth Springer, conductor
Lindsay Buckingham (b. 1949)
arr. Roger Emerson (b. 1950)
Combined Choirs
Logan Florence, electric guitar; Myles Robinson, electric bass
Lawrence Turner, drumset; Judy Arthur, piano
Michael Hanawalt, conductor
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to the outstanding Ruby Diamond Concert Hall production team, especially Grace Atkins, Nick Smith, Russ Marsh, Eugene McGuiness, Mike Shapiro, Ethan Bigelow, and Evan Wood, for all their outstanding efforts. We thank Megan Mowery, Wendy Smith, and all other College of Music staff members for their continued support. We thank all members of the Tallahassee Community Chorus as well as Claudia Dew and the Capitol Bells for their lasting participation in this annual celebration of the season. Judy Arthur has been a part of this event every year, and we cherish each opportunity we have to hear her play and see her teach. Lastly, we would like to thank the FSU College of Music faculty for their support and guidance of all students.
College of Music
Choral Events for 2026
Tallahassee Community Chorus and Levana
Sunday, January 25 | 4:00 p.m. | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Tickets: tcchorus.org
Levana and Collegians
Monday, March 30 | 7:00 p.m. | Westminster Oaks
Choral Union
Tuesday, April 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Opperman Music Hall
University Wind Ensemble with University Singers
Tuesday, April 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Tickets: tickets.music.fsu.edu
Gospel Choir and Vocal Jazz
Thursday, April 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Opperman Music Hall
University Chamber Choir and University Singers
Saturday, April 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Tickets: tickets.music.fsu.edu
Collegians and Levana
Tuesday, April 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Opperman Music Hall
Tallahassee Community Chorus
Sunday, April 26 | 4:00 p.m. | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Tickets: tcchorus.org