Photos by Ralph Freso
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Grand Canyon University’s music program is spreading the Christmas cheer.
The 11th annual Handel’s "Messiah” winter concert will mark the beginning of the holiday season when Canyon Choral Society takes the stage for a sing-along concert at 7 tonight at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. An additional "Messiah" performance is slated for 6 p.m. Sunday at Bellevue Heights Church in Sun City.
Under the direction of Assistant Dean of Music Dr. Juan Hernandez, the musical group will feature classic Christmas music and carols with guests Canyon Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Mark Fearey on harpsichord.
“It’s a fun group to listen to because there is always something for everybody,” Hernandez said.
"Handel’s 'Messiah' oratorio celebrates the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is meant to showcase the talents of students but really the breadth and depth of our department. Regardless of repertoire that we sing, the Christian worldview is always portrayed and as a Christian university we feel that is important.”
The music program is comprised of three vocal groups, including Critical Mass, Canyon Choral Society and Canyon Chorale. Throughout the year, all three groups appear in a number of concerts, performing up to 75 musical pieces.
From classical, traditional and contemporary Christian to jazz, Broadway, gospel and African American spirituals, music students are exposed to a diverse repertoire put together by Hernandez and Fearey every year that helps them expand their vocal range, performance skills and musical knowledge.
“I saw one of the performances at graduation and thought, ‘I want to do this,’” said sophomore Joanna Heneveld.
“I wanted to be surrounded by welcoming people and that is another reason I wanted to join. There is so much joy because it is a bunch of believers singing together about God. You don’t really find that around.”
Each group has its own identity. While Canyon Choral Society is known for its holiday tradition, Critical Mass is known for its performance at every campus commencement ceremony.
Critical Mass, a 14-member group, is mostly comprised of music majors but is open for any student to join. It is a traveling vocal ensemble that makes appearances at various local churches, off-campus venues and sporting events. It also supports university leadership at formal events and visits local schools to promote the program.
“I get to perfect my craft constantly,” said senior Ryenne Morgan. “People are constantly working with me on bettering my voice and technique and teaching me more about how I can mentor students when I become a teacher.”
“The best part for me is that I get to sing all the time and glorify God while I am doing it. I get to do what I love all the time.”
As music majors, students are involved in all three performance groups while juggling a full schedule of classes and extracurricular responsibilities.
Every day features different group and individual rehearsals that keep students in shape for thirteen yearly concerts, 10 commencement performances and other events.
“The goal is to build their stamina,” said Fearey. “If you go workout too hard after not doing anything for a couple months, you are really sore. So, they are building their muscles, strengthening their voices continuously.”
Long hours spent in rehearsals, on stage and traveling can turn into a grueling process, but it is preparing students for their future professions and giving them a glimpse of what their desired career goals entail.
“It is a little bit of luck that it all works and a whole lot of planning,” said sophomore Luke Lundberg.
“Our professors understand what it is like to be music students. They make it easy to plan out things and are on our side in making sure we are doing okay. Sometimes when I feel like the schedule is a burden, I remember this is the only time I will get to do stuff like this, and it motivates me to keep going.”
What makes the rigorous schedule most rewarding is the tight-knit community students build over time. While most students join these vocal groups at the beginning of the year as strangers, at the end of their time with the program they leave as close friends.
“It’s a lot of work, but it is fun, good and rewarding work, especially when you see some of the students come through the program for all four years,” said Hernandez.
More performances: Canyon Choral Society will also perform a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., in Paradise Valley.
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
IF YOU GO
What: "Handel's Messiah" Sing-Along
Where: La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E Bell Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
When: 7 p.m. Friday
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