Chaffey Rings in Season with Choral, Band Concerts
From choral songs about winter’s contrast of dark to light, to spirited jazz renditions of holiday classics, Chaffey College’s music department presented a pair of festive concerts Dec. 5 and 6.
“Darkness and Light,” featuring Chaffey’s choirs, was directed by Professors David Rentz and Bethany Encina. The choral repertoire included the words of Shakespeare in the 2016 Ruth Morris Gray song “How Like a Winter” as well as the 2011 canon “Come In! Come In!” based on a poem by Abbie Betinis.
Students also sang Gregorian folk songs and hymns, including the 14th century medieval chant “Polorum Regina.”
The “Holiday Band Concert,” directed by Professor of Music Patrick Aranda, showcased
diverse holiday classics from “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson to “Light the Menorah,”
an arrangement by Evan Van Doren. Jazz performances will include familiar songs including
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “God Rest Ye Merry
Gentlemen.”
“I’m very excited for this performance due to Pat’s implementation of the classical holiday music, but with a personal twist,” said music major Jonni Munoz. “It’s a festive evening of both groups that everyone of all backgrounds and ages would want to see.”
Munoz, who plays tenor saxophone, alto sax and clarinet, is currently pursuing a degree to become a music director and theorist.
Erica Lopez-Elwell, who plays piano with the jazz band, is pursuing a career as a teacher. She is participating in the band program to enhance and improve her musical skills while working toward getting her teaching credential. Lopez-Elwell said she looked forward to the jazz arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”
“It’s a slightly chaotic, but also an extremely energetic, slightly stressful, difficult, but extremely fun rendition of the carol,” she said.
