WT’s ‘Music of the Christmas Season’ to Incorporate Aerial Dancers, Orchestra, Choirs

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Strings and voices won’t be the only things soaring at West Texas A&M University’s annual “Music of the Christmas Season” concert.

WT Dance students will take the theme of this year’s concert—“Walking in the Air”—quite literally in performances set for 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus.

Utilizing aerial silks, dancers will soar over the orchestra; additional dancers will perform at the foot of the stage.

The performances also will feature the WT Symphony Orchestra, the WT Chorale, the WT Collegiate Choirs, all from WT’s School of Music, as well as Tascosa High School’s Les Chanteurs.

Tickets for the perennially popular event are sold out, but the concert will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Dec. 24 and 9 p.m. Dec. 25 on Panhandle PBS. Following that, the concert can be viewed on the WT School of Music’s YouTube page.

“Crystal Bertrand, WT Dance program director, has been eager to collaborate with us for this concert for some time, but with the orchestra and combined choirs, we had no room on the stage,” said Dr. Mark Bartley, associate dean of the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts, WT’s Lilith Brainard Professor of Music and director of orchestral activities. “But this year, she said, ‘How about above it?’”

Four dancers will offer an acrobatic showcase above the orchestra during three numbers: the first movement of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” Howard Blake’s “Walking in the Air” and Alan Silvestri’s Suite from “The Polar Express.” An additional dozen dancers also will perform.

“This is such a highlight for us. We are so grateful for the School of Music and the opportunity for dancers to develop this new skill,” Bertrand said. “It has required consistent effort, discipline and athleticism. Performing alongside and hearing the vibrancy of the live musicians is just captivating for our dancers.”

The concert also will feature a mix of holiday classics, sacred works and popular hits, including “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Joy to the World,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and more.

“It’s going to be spectacular,” Bartley said. “The aerial silks add a stunning visual element that’s as athletic as it is artistic. We’ll have 200-plus artists, all performing at their peak.”

“Music of the Christmas Season” is just one of the holiday events planned in coming days at WT and in Canyon.

President Walter V. and Mary Wendler will host a community reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 4 in Legacy Hall inside the Jack B. Kelley Student Center. Immediately following, the campus will be officially lit during the Festival of Lights celebration around the Buffalo Fountain on the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughan Pedestrian Mall in the heart of the WT campus.

Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum’s Christmas Open House will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, and Canyon Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas in Canyon events will kick off at 4 p.m. Dec. 7, including the Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. around the downtown square, followed by the lighting of the Canyon Christmas tree.

Finally, the WT Chamber Singers will offer a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in Northen Recital Hall. Admission is free.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts and a strong relationship to the community are critical components of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's "Music of the Christmas Season: Walking in the Air" will be broadcast Dec. 24 and 25 on Panhandle PBS following sold-out live performances Dec. 8.

—WT—

Orchestra

Maddlyn Worley, Amarillo, Master’s

Gavin Poole, Meridian, Music performance, Sophomore

Brynlee Miller, Canyon, Music education, Freshman

Zachary Brown, Odessa, Music performance, Master's degree program, Master’s

Eliza Pearson, Amarillo, Music performance, Junior

John Hajje, Amarillo, Music composition, Sophomore

Rodrigo Alonzo, Amarillo, Music performance, Pre-Medicine, Senior

Katherine Cook, Midland, Music therapy, Senior

Eduardo Esparza, Amarillo, Music performance, Junior

Andrea Skyberg, Lubbock, Physics, Senior

Anna Ng, Amarillo, Biology, Senior

Kaitlyn Rubinski, Amarillo, Music education, Senior

Dayton Scholz, Amarillo, Music education, Senior

Grace Lindauer, Fort Worth, Master's degree program, Master’s

Carson King, Rockdale, Music industry - Music business, Junior

Marcus Curnutte, Midland, Music education, Senior

Emily Arciniega, McKinney, Music therapy, Senior

Ryan Evans, Amarillo, Music education, Senior

Joe David Romo Jr, Amarillo, Music education, Senior

Ezekiel Luera, Fort Worth, Music education, Freshman

Daniel Cera, Amarillo, Music education, Freshman

Kyndahl Britton, Pflugerville, Music performance, Senior

Diana Larraga, Dallas, Music education, Senior

Norrin Hodgson, Odessa, Music education, Master's degree program, Master’s

Anika McNeely, Hereford, Music education, Freshman

Kinslea Blau, Odessa, Music education, Sophomore

Christopher Santiago, Odessa, Music education, Senior

Kevin Olivas, Amarillo, Digital Media and Communications , Sophomore

Emma Williams, Amarillo, English, Sophomore

Marissa Portillo, Lubbock, Music industry - Music business, Junior

Abigail Hite, Nashville TN, Music performance, Music education, Senior

JP O’Brien, Anna, Music education, Master’s

Brianne Adkins, Canyon, Music Industry - Music Technology, Freshman

Jackson Zorn, College Station, Music education, Freshman

Noah Lopez, Lubbock, Master's degree program, Master’s

Chloe Phillips, Haslet, Music education, Freshman

Melinda Thomas, Amarillo, Music education, Junior

Spencer Owens, Levelland, Music education, Senior

Cayden Chazarreta, Fort Worth, Music education, Freshman

Gallilea Martinez, Amarillo, Music performance, Sophomore

Faustino Lara, Palestine, Music performance, Music education, Senior

Brayden York, Odessa, Music education, Senior

Emily Sotelo, Midland, Master's degree program, Master’s

Wyatt Hayes, McKinney, Music performance, Senior

J'Sean Berillo, Lubbock, Music performance, Junior

Patrick Daly-Williams, Amarillo, Music education, Junior

Mia Brandyberry , Amarillo , ELAR 4-8, Senior

Bailey Haney, Amarillo, Music industry - Music business, Freshman

Cassidy DeMarais, Rockwall, Music education, Senior

Andre Silva, São Paulo, Music performance, Master’s

Josenir Junior, Criciúma, SC Brazil, Master's degree program, Master’s

Marissa Partida, Victoria, Music performance, Senior

Keila Silva, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Music performance, Master’s

Jose Luis Forero, Jose Forero, Music performance, Master’s

Luis Lozano, Colombia, Master's degree program, Master’s

Elena Moreno, Amarillo, Music education, Senior

Tesslyn Hazell, Amarillo, Music industry - Music business, Freshman

Rosemary Orozco, Amarillo, Music education, Junior

Wendy Lambert, Amarillo, Biology Pre-med with music minor, Junior

Joselyn Cordova, Odessa, Music education, Freshman

Piper Fowler, Amarillo, Music performance, Junior

Collegiate Choir Fall 2024

Soprano I

Julia Douglas, Sophomore, Music Therapy, Wichita, KS

Joli Goebel, Sophomore, Music Therapy, Amarillo,

Sarah Robinson, Sophomore, Music Therapy, Ropesville,

Jewels Rodriguez, Senior, Musical Theater, El Paso,

Lorelei Sicks, Junior, Music Therapy, Amarillo,

Soprano II

Miah Bulls, Freshman, Music Education, Dumas,

Keeli Crabtree, Senior, Biology, Pre-Vet, Placitas, NM

Kaitlin French, Freshman, General Business, Amarillo,

Alto I

Melissa Arevalo, Senior, Music Therapy, Devine,

Lia Gonzalez, Sophomore, Music Therapy, Brenham,

Hannah Ramsel, Sophomore, Music Therapy, Midland,

Alto II

Lauren Combs, Freshman, Music Therapy, Artesia NM

Isabella Escobar, Junior, Studio Art, Borger,

Jamily Hernandez, Sophomore, Music Therapy, Dumas,

Jaden Luna, Freshman, Music Education, Fort Myers, FL

Tenor

Adam Armstrong, Post Graduate, Music Therapy Amarillo,

Brady Fellers, Senior, Music Education, Borger,

Keegan Massingill, Junior, Music Technology, Lakewood, CO

Tenor II

Connor Cooksey, Junior, Music Education, San Antonio,

Trent Jones, Junior, Music Composition, Amarillo,

Bass I

Sergio Gonzalez, Junior, Music Therapy, Midland,

Eduardo Guaderrama, Graduate Student, Choral Conducting, Friona,

Bass II

J.P. Galib, Graduate Student, Conducting, Bryn Mawr, PA

Nelson McKinney, Amarillo,

Chorale Fall 2024

Soprano I

Selestial Calderon, Senior, Music Therapy, El Paso,

Sarah Estes, Senior, Vocal Performance, Turpin, OK

Brinklee Fairchild, Sophomore, Vocal Performance, Midland,

Monica Hernandez, Sophomore, Early Childhood Education, Canyon,

Emma Martin, Freshman, Communication Disorders, Amarillo,

Kimber Preece, Freshman, Veterinary Science, San Antonio,

Karley Thomas, Sophomore, Veterinary Science, Amarillo,

Soprano II

Sarah Boydston, Senior, Music Education, Amarillo,

Hannah Felker, Senior, Business Management, Amarillo,

Olivia Fowler, Freshman, Music Education,

Christie Jones, Freshman, Early Childhood Education, Amarillo,

Edna Orona, Senior, Music Education, El Paso,

Abbie White, Freshman, Music Education, Pampa,

Alto I

Aubrey Brown, Freshman, Music Education, Seminole,

Geri Dingman, Senior, Vocal Performance, Frisco,

Austen Jones, Senior, Music Technolody, Amarillo,

Brooklynn King, Junior, Vocal Performance, Pearland,

Zoe Sells, Sophomore, Music Education, Canyon,

Hannah Lannou, Sophomore, Theater Education, Canyon,

Charlotte Plotts, Senior, Mathematics, Canyon,  

Zoe Sells, Sophomore, Music Education, Canyon,

Alto II

Caroline Cooper, Sophomore, Music Education, Midlothian,

Jincy Fuller, Senior, Music Therapy, McKinney,

Rebecca Hall, Senior, English Educaiton, Show Low. AZ

Maggie Houlihan, Freshman, Early Childhood Education, Amarillo,

Jennifer Srygley, Freshman, Music Education, Amarillo,

Tenor I

Brady Fellers, Senior, Music Education, Borger,

Ben Kerley, Sophomore, Business Management, Amarillo,

Josh Moreno, Senior, Music Education, Canyon,

Andres Piñon, Freshman, Vocal Performance, Friona,

Gideon Talley, Senior, Music Technology, Canyon,

Tenor II

Connor Cooksey, Junior, Music Education, San Antonio,

Caedon Dietz, Junior, Music Technology, Dresden, Germany

Kaleb Evans, Freshman, Music Technology, Lewisville,

Brendan King, Sophomore, Music Education, Pearland,

Evan Snyder, Freshman, Music Business, Friona,

Bass I

Korbin Cole, Sophomore, Music Education, Pampa,

Eduardo Guaderrama, Graduate Student, Choral Conducting, Friona,

Kyler Hilton, Junior, Vocal Performance, Canyon,

Madison Jonas, Senior, Vocal Performance, Amarillo,

Elijah Keast, Freshman, Music Education and Performance, Odessa,

Bret Ramirez, Senior, Music Composition, Canyon,

Grayson Westbrooks, Freshman, Music Education, Canyon,

Bass II

JP Galib, Graduate Student, Conducting, Bryn Mawr, PA

Kelton Harbison, Junior, Music Education, Canyon,

Noah Huddleston, Freshman, Canyon,

Elliott Lewis, Sophomore, Music Education, College Station,

Mark Pinkerton, Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering, Canyon,

Sebastian Remlinger, Freshman, Music Therapy, Canyon,

Dancers, all dance majors

Caris Balboa, a sophomore from Hobbs, New Mexico 

Kaleigh De La Cruz, a senior from Chicago

Gannon Duffy, a junior from Lubbock

Krisanne Freeman, a junior from Amarillo 

Marisa Garcia, a senior from Corpus Christi

Nova Gore, a junior from Amarillo 

Camila Jimenez, a junior from Fort Worth

Jayden Lucas, a junior from Amarillo 

Anna Martin, a junior from Midland

Hannah Metzger, a sophomore from Perryton

Bryanna Miller, a sophomore from Canyon

Kaitlyn Roberson, a senior from Pampa

Lorelai Stager, a senior from Seguin

Maia Soto, a junior from El Paso

Maddy Welch, a senior from Lubbock

Zarek Womack, a junior from Christoval