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Sing, Play, and Be Merry
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved to perform — whether it was theatre, singing with local bands, or just messing around with my sister at home. I was always singing. Music has been an important outlet for me and has had a central role in my life. However, as I grew older and had more responsibilities, singing often fell to the wayside. Luckily, I was able to begin again when I enrolled at Penn State Scranton.
At Penn State Scranton, I have had the amazing opportunity of participating in the Campus Chorale as well the Roc[k]tet, our small group show choir. In the Roc[k]tet, we have a select group of singers who incorporate choreography into our performances. This group in particular has given me the chance to make great friends and perform different types of music and try new things. Both the Roc[k]tet and Chorale allow me to fully express my creativity while also making connections with the greater campus community.
Currently, our Chorale consists of 35 singers and includes students, faculty, staff and friends of Penn State Scranton
In the winter, we focus on singing holiday favorites, while in the spring, we branch out to pop, spirituals, and even musical theatre. With the holiday season approaching, our close-knit group has been rehearsing diligently all semester in preparation for our Annual Holiday Concert, which is a free community event that takes place in downtown Scranton. We also perform an on-campus concert for the Penn State Scranton community each December.
While I am only involved in Chorale and the Roc[k]tet, our campus also has an extremely talented band – The Penn State Scranton Jazz Band, which is made up of campus students and faculty, as well as friends of the campus, including former employees and alumni. The Jazz Band members play a variety of instruments to create a smooth, well-rounded sound.
All your beloved holiday classics
At the upcoming Holiday Concert, they will be playing holiday favorites, along with pop and jazz tunes that are sure to entertain the audience and get them in a festive mood. One of my favorite parts of our annual concerts as a Chorale member is being able to sit out in the audience to enjoy the band after our performance.
These wonderful groups would not be able to run without our director, Professor Sharon Toman. Professor Toman excellently directs all three groups — the Chorale, Roc[k]tet and the Jazz Band. We are so grateful that she shares her talents with us and in turn, allows us to share our talents with everyone who attends our performances.
So, take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle and treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon of listening to some great music that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. The Penn State Scranton Chorale, Roc[k]tet, and Jazz Band hope to see you there! Happy Holidays!
Join Us for Holiday Fun
Penn State Scranton’s Annual Holiday Concert
When: Sunday, December 8 at 4 p.m.
Where: The Peoples Security Bank Theatre at Lackawanna College
501 Vine Street, Scranton, PA 18512
Tickets: Free and open to the public
For more information, call 570-963-2696.
