Since 1969, The University of Alabama’s School of Music has performed a holiday concert called Hilaritas. The tradition will continue this year with two performances.
Featuring a performance ensemble consisting of students in the jazz, orchestra, and choral programs, Hilaritas – under the direction of jazz band director Chris Kozak and University Singers conductor John Ratledge – will feature a variety of themes and musical offerings. Violinist Fayth Williams, a sophomore majoring in music performance, said the selections should keep audiences entertained.
“Many people look forward to Hilaritas every December claiming their holiday does not start until they’ve attend the concert,” Williams said. “Hilaritas really jump starts the Christmas season by putting the audience in a joyful, holiday mood.”
Trey Hedgemon, a sophomore majoring in music education, is a member of the Huxford Symphony Orchestra and is also performing in Hilaritas. He said he has enjoyed the experience of working with other members of musical ensembles.
“I really enjoy having the opportunity to collaborate with different ensembles and seeing how differently their instructors operate and approach music,” Hedgemon said. “In other words, there is a lot that can be learned within all of the music making.”
Hedgemon and Williams added that Hilaritas is not only a musical event, but also a visual one where the performers get to leave their own mark on the audience. Hedgemon said audience members should look for themes that go on within each of the ensemble’s sections that affect their attire and stage design.
“Instead of the usual concert attire, we get the opportunity to dress up in different themes within our sections or groups, ranging from holiday themes to popular TV characters and decorate the stage with lights, signs and whatever else matches their theme,” he said. “It is a real change of pace from what one would normally see at most other concert.”
This year’s performance will include both modern arrangements, such as a cover of Michael Bublé’s “All I Want for Christmas,” and classics, such as “Jingle Bells,” as well as a medley with which the audience is invited to sing along.
Hedgemon said the different styles of music are one of his favorite parts of Hilaritas.
“Music for the holidays is the idea, but there are many ways to go about it, and our program showcases this,” he said. “We could go from playing a emotional and lyrical piece to a jazzy rendition of a popular song, or some combination of the two. It really makes for an unpredictably fun program, especially for people hearing it for the first time.”
Hilaritas will be performed in Moody Music Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the concert will cost $15 for general admission and $7 for students and seniors. Tickets for seats in the second balcony will cost $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors.
