UT Concert Hall brings you excellent performances that were given at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, spotlighting faculty, guest artist, and graduate student recitals, as well as student ensemble performances. Join local host and producer, Melony Dodson, for this hour-long program, as she transports you to Cox Auditorium and/or the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall to hear these world class performances. Thursday night at 8pm and Sunday evenings at 7pm.

UT Concert Hall, December 18 and 21, 2025

WINTER CHORAL CONCERT

Tuesday, December 02, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

James R. Cox Auditorium
Alumni Memorial Building
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

University of Tennessee Men’s Chorale

Professor Andrew Skoog, conductor
Melony Dodson, collaborative pianist

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Craig Courtney (b. 1948) 

Coventry Carol
arr. Howard Helvey (b. 1968) 

Dustin Lin and Melony Dodson, piano four hands 

Winter Night
James Quitman Mulholland (b. 1935) 

The Work of Christmas
Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

University of Tennessee Concert Choir

Dr. Laura Leigh Spillane, conductor
Sophia Bennett, graduate assistant
Andrea Markowitz Gantte, collaborative pianist

Shepherd’s Pipe Carol 
John Rutter (b. 1945)

Going through the hills on a night all starry
On the way to Bethlehem
Far away I heard a shepherd boy piping
On the way to Bethlehem

Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
"Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King
Is come to bring us peace on earth
And He's lying cradled there at Bethlehem."

"Tell me, shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily
On the way to Bethlehem
Who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely
On the way to Bethlehem?”

"None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely
On the way to Bethlehem;
But a King will hear me play sweet lullabies
When I get to Bethlehem."

Angels in the sky came down from on high
Hovered over the manger where the babe was lying
Cradled in the arms of his mother, Mary,
Sleeping now at Bethlehem.

"Where is this new King, shepherd boy piping merrily?
Is He there at Bethlehem?
I will find Him soon by the star shining brightly
In the sky o'er Bethlehem."

"May I come with you, shepherd boy piping merrily
Come with you to Bethlehem?
Pay my homage too at the new King's cradle
Is it far to Bethlehem?"

Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
"Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King
Is born this day in lowly stable yonder, 
born for you at Bethlehem."

Quem vidistis pastores dicite 
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Translation: Whom did you see, shepherds, speak,
tell us: on earth, who has appeared?
[The] newborn [child] we saw, 
and choirs of Angels praising [the] Lord.
Tell of what you saw,
and announce Christ's nativity.

Hodie Christus Natus Est  
Javier Busto (b. 1949)
 
Translation: Today Christ is born;
today the savior has appeared;
today the angels sing on earth,
the archangels rejoice;
today good people exult, saying:
"Glory to God in the highest."
Alleluia!

Fum, Fum, Fum
Catalonian carol 
arr. Mack Wilberg (b. 1955)

Melony Dodson, piano primo
 Andrea Markowitz Gantte, piano secondo

On December twenty five sing fum, fum, fum.
He is born the holy child, the little babe, the infant mild.
He is born the virgin birth and He shall be the joy of earth
Sing fum, fum, fum.

Little birds fly from the sky sing fum, fum, fum.
Little creatures great and small come to the stable one and all.
Come and form a tiny nest, all for the Holy Child to rest, sing fum, fum.

Little stars that shine above, sing fum, fum, fum.
See the infant as he sleep, He brings to all goodwill and peace.
O let the night shine lightly, with a flame burn clear and brightly
Fum, fum, fum.

University of Tennessee Women’s Chorale

Connor Cowart, conductor
Leslie Hill, collaborative pianist

Ding Dong! Merrily On High 
arr. Stephen Mager (b. 1956)

Northern Lights
Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)

Translation: Thou art beautiful, O my love, 
sweet and comely daughter of Jerusalem. 
Thou art beautiful, O my love, 
sweet and comely as Jerusalem. 
Terrible as an army set in array. 
Turn away thine eyes from me, 
for they have made me flee away.

Go Where I Send Thee 
arr. Paul Caldwell (b. 1963) and Sean Ivory (b. 1969)

University of Tennessee Chamber Singers

Dr. Angela Batey, conductor
Sophia Bennett, graduate assistant
Simon Ballintoy and Tami Newsom, collaborative artists

Magnificat from Canticles in D
Jack Hawes (1916-2004)

My soul doth magnify the Lord, 
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. 
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 
And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm. 
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 
He hath put down the mighty from their seat 
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things. 
And the rich he hath sent empty away. 
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel 
as he promised to our forefathers Abraham, and his seed forever. Amen.

Angelus ad virginem
arr. Carol Barnett (b. 1949)
Translation:  W. A. C. Pickard-Cambridge

Annika Blackburn, percussion

Translation: Gabriel to Mary came, And entered at her dwelling,
With his salutation glad Her maiden fears dispelling,
'All hail, thou queen of virgins bright!
God, Lord of earth and heaven's height,
Thy very Son, Shall soon be born in pureness,
The Saviour of mankind.  Thou art the gate of heaven bright,
The sinners' healer kind.'

'How should I a mother be that am to man a stranger?
How should I my strong resolve, My solemn vows endanger?'
'Pow'r from the Holy Ghost on high Shall bring to pass this mystery.
Be of good cheer, That still thy chastity
In God's almighty keeping Shall all unsullied be.'

Then to him the maid replied, With noble mien supernal;
'Lo! The humble handmaid I Of God the Lord eternal!
With thee, bright messenger of heav'n,
By whom this wondrous news is giv'n,
I well agree And long to see Fulfilled Thy gracious prophecy.
As God my Lord doth will it, So be it unto me!'

Straight away God's messenger From Mary then departed.
Thereon she conceived a Son, The Holy Ghost imparted.
In her was Christ contained anon,
True God, true man, in flesh and bone;
Born of her too, When time was due;
Who then did redeem us for His own.
And brought us out of bondage, And did for us to atone.

Hail! Thou Mother of the Lord, Who bring'st of gifts the rarest,
Peace to angels and to men, When Christ the Lord thou barest!
Do thou, we pray, entreat thy Son
For us our long'd redemption Himself to win,
And from our sin Release us; His succor for to give,
That, when we hence are taken, We too in heav'n may live.

In dulci jubilo
arr. Matthew Culloton (b. 1976)

In dulci jubilo (in sweet joy), Let us our homage show,
Our heart's joy reclineth in praesepio (in a manger),
And like a bright start shineth Matris in gremio (in your mother's lap).
Alpha es et O[mega] (beginning and ending).

O Jesu parvule (O infant Jesus)!  I yearn for thee alway!
Hear me, I beseech thee, O puer optime (O best of boys)!
My pray'r let it reach thee, O Princeps gloriae (O Prince of Glory);
Trahe me post te (draw me after you to heaven).

O Patris caritas (O love of the Father)!  O Nati lenitas (O mercy of the Son)!
Deeply were we stained, Per nostra crimina (through our sins);
But thou hast gained Coelorum gaudia (the joys of heaven)!
O that we were there!

Ubi sunt gaudia (where are the joys?), Where, if they be not there?
There are angels singing nova cantica (new songs)!
And there the bells are ringing in Regin curia (in the King's courts).
O that we were there!

Jingle Bells
Traditional American Carol
arr. J. David Moore (b. 1962)