Christmas at Cathedral set for Dec. 10

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
November 25, 2004

"What Child Is This?" will be presented by 200 voices from throughout Siouxland as this year's Christmas at Cathedral.

The choral department of Briar Cliff University, East High School choirs and the Siouxland Youth Chorus will perform with a 30-piece chamber orchestra for the annual event on Dec. 10.

The concert, which is a benefit for the Cathedral Arts Guild, will begin at 8 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany, 1000 Douglas Street, in Sioux City.

"It is the mission of the arts guild to be more ecumenical and episcopal in their endeavors and so we have not just Catholic organizations but a variety," said Dr. Mary Day, OSF, a member of the Cathedral Arts Guild. "That is not to say that these will be the choirs from here on in, that is always at the table. You are looking for colors and a balance for the evening program."

The Cathedral Arts Guild is a volunteer organization established with the mission of fostering the historic role of the Cathedral as a diocesan and community center of prayer, hospitality and the arts.

"I think it's important because we offer to the Siouxland community and to our guests the opportunity to experience orchestra and choral and a lot of variety in terms of a musical experience. It is an aesthetic experience and an emotional experience with the Christmas season as the focal point," said Day.

Prior to the 8 p.m. performance, concert attendees will be greeted with traditional Christmas carols sung by the Cliff Carolers dressed in Dickens costumes on the steps of the Cathedral. The orchestral prelude will begin at 7:30 p.m. and features the famous Corelli Christmas Concerto and Debussy's mystical sonata for flute, viola and harp.

The concert will open with Vaughan-Williams haunting fantasia on the theme of "What Child Is This?"

"The story itself is a real journey from the Old Testament prophesy through the angel appearing to Mary through the shepherds and the nativity and the kings. The music itself has a compass that covers from Gregorian Chant through Bach and pieces that people might know," said Dr. Lisa Lutter, director of the concert.

During the performance, the audience will be asked to join in the singing of "Hark the Herald Angels," "O, Come All Ye Faithful" and "Joy to the World."

"When do you get to do that?" said Lutter. "Even as a professional singer, that would be a thrill for me to go to a concert and stand up and sing with 200 voices and a 30-piece orchestra."

The young singers of the Siouxland Youth Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Shirley Neugebauer-Luebke, will perform a lively selection of carols centering on the nativity, including John Rutter's "Carol of the Children" with harp and orchestra.

The concert will include a bell choir, directed by Day. BCU faculty members Dr. Richard Steinbach and Sister Arnold Staudt, OSF, will play harpsichord and organ.

East High School's Magnum Chorum and Chamber Choir will be featured in stirring choral works including the well-known "Gift Carol."

Lloyd Pfautsch, a well-known composer who died last year, will have a piece featured in the concert as well. His grandchildren graduated from East High School.

"This will be a meaningful tribute to the well-known composer, Lloyd Pfautsch, who passed away last year. The Pfautsch family are long-time residents of Sioux City. Lloyd's granddaughter, Kathy, just graduated last year from East High and was a soprano soloist in my choirs," said Heath Weber, director of the East High School choirs.

Tickets, available for a $15 donation or $10 for senior citizens and children, may be purchased at Briar Cliff University, (712) 279-5321; Cathedral of the Epiphany, (712) 255-1637; Central Catholic Offices, (712) 255-7933; East High School (712) 274-4015 or Trinity Lutheran Church. There will be no reserve seating and doors open at 7 p.m. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to buy tickets in advance.

"What other concert in the area will bring together an orchestra, children, two exceptional high school choirs and college singers, bells, harp and the awe, the wonder and the beauty of Christmas? Who else will bring all that together particularly in the beautiful Cathedral setting and at a ticket price that while it is not cheap, it is affordable?" said Lutter. "When people go to the movies and buy popcorn and a drink, they spend this much money. Will that change their lives? Christmas comes once a year and a concert like this happens one place, in one community, if at all."

Following the concert, a reception for the artists and those attending will be held in the Cathedral basement.

Proceeds from this event will be used by the Cathedral Arts Guild to sponsor future arts events benefiting the Siouxland community.

"While this is a benefit for the Cathedral, it really is a gift to the community," said Lutter. "It is a very symbolic endeavor to bring all these musicians together from all over our area. We are very indebted to Cathedral for doing this program each year."