By Tierra Doughty, Contributing Writer
On Dec. 7, the Saint Leo University community united to watch the annual Christmas concert and the dazzling Christmas lights at the Student Activities Building clocktower. This event was held by the department of language studies, the division of student affairs, University Ministry, and was hosted by Dr. Heather Parker, the dean of the college of arts and sciences.
The first music concert began at 4 p.m., and Christmas theme refreshments were provided to students, faculty, and other guests at the event. The tree lighting and manger blessing started at 5:45 p.m., and the second concert commenced at 7 p.m.
The music concerts required collaboration and help with the music from many Saint Leo faculty members.
Kasia Dolinska was the director of the instrumental ensemble with special help from the Florida Orchestra Brass Ensemble. Mauricio Rodriguez was the director of Saint Leo’s Jazz Assemble, the piano accompaniment was provided by Inna Korotkevitch, and vocals were provided by Dr. Chul Young Kim. Adjunct professor of music, Christine Honein, managed the music, and the Chamber Singers were managed by music director, Dr. Cynthia Selph.
Rodriguez said that he has experienced many Saint Leo Christmas concerts and feels that this year’s concert was the best thus far.
“I have been at this school since 2014 and participated in all the past Christmas concerts. For me, this was one of our best performances. The quality of the tuning was amazing and the music in general was well-performed,” said Rodriguez.
Chrisjon Perry, a junior majoring in computer information systems and a tenor in the Chamber Singers ensemble, said, “We have been preparing since early November for all of our performances.”
The performers practiced intensely for the concert, and some members believed that practice paid off. Chrisalyn Junkert, a senior majoring in mathematics and piano accompanist for some of the songs, said that she was pleased with all the performances.
“I thought the performances overall was great because when you hear everything get together with the music accompaniment, it sounds really awesome. I really liked the song, Stopping on the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” she said.
Courtney Grey, a junior majoring in mathematics who also played the flute and marimba during the concert, said, “I really liked Mary Did You Know and Linus and Lucy.”
The songs performed were recognizable Christmas carols including carols from different cultures sung in their native languages.
Some of the classic songs performed included the opener, “Deck the Halls,” written by Thomas Oliphant, “Linus and Lucy,” by Vince Guaraldi, “Silent Night,” composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, and written by Joesph Mohr, “Mary Did You Know,” written by Mark Lowry and composed by Buddy Greene, “Carol of the Bells,” originally composed by Mykola Leontovych, and “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marks, “Jingle Bells,” written by James Pierpont.
Songs also included “O Christmas Tree,” originally written in German and composed by Ernst Anschütz, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” written by Robert Frost, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” composed by Arthur Warrell, “The Christmas Song,” by Nat King Cole, and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” by John Wesley Work Jr, an upbeat closing song that ended the concert on a high note.
The annual Christmas lighting was organized by Dr. Mary Spoto, vice president of academic affairs, and executive coordinators to the dean of arts and sciences, Tonya Frost and Teddy Freeman, and Saint Leo’s president, Jeffery Senese, who explained an important part of the holidays.
“This is the time of year where you should be happy. Slow down. Be with family and friends, enjoy each other’s company. Show people love, we are not here to be separated from others,” said Senese.
For the people who attended last year’s tree lighting during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were observable differences that made this year’s tree lighting better than ever.
Savonne Waterman, a junior majoring in criminal justice with a specialization in forensics, said, “We get to see the different aspects of the community come together. It is much different from last year. The turn out this year was better because more people felt comfortable coming out and actually talk to each other instead of being six feet apart.”
“This is my first tree lighting event, and I am excited to see what it really is. It is nice for everybody to come together for the tree lighting after a year where everything was so separate,” said Olamide Fasida, a junior majoring in software engineering with a minor in hospitality management.
