CANTON -- The St. Lawrence University Chorus will celebrate Christmas this semester with their holiday program, “Angels and Shepherds,” this Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. in Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall, located in the Griffiths Arts Center, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

The University Chorus – which is comprised of students, faculty and community members – will be accompanied by a wind sextet, including St. Lawrence students Chandler Turpin ’19 on oboe and Nicole Williams ’19 on flute as well as Professor of Philosophy Laura Rediehs on the flute.

The concert will feature holiday favorites such as William Billings’ “Shiloh,” various versions of “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night,” “Quem Pastores Laudavere,” and the Christmas classic, “Angles we have Heard on High.” Each features a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment by 20th-century Italian composer Ottorino Respighi.

Director Barry Torres said the soloists for the Respighi vocal accompaniments will be young singers who have North Country connections.

“Our own José Santelices Ormazábal ’17, who is now studying opera performance at the University of South Florida, will be the tenor soloist singing the part of the shepherd,” Torres said. “Mezzo-soprano Edith Grossman, a recent (SUNY Potsdam) Crane (School of Music) graduate, will sing the role of Maria. Soprano Liamna Pestana Roche, who appeared as guest soloist with the Laurentian Singers last Christmas, will sing the role of the angel.”

For more information regarding the concert, contact St. Lawrence’s Department of Music at 315-229-5166 or visit www.stlawu.edu./music.