Residents of Tuscaloosa didn’t need to look far for entertainment this past holiday season. The university’s annual holiday concert, Hilaritas, was performed at the Moody School of Music on the University of Alabama (UA) campus, December 2 and 4, 2023. All ages were encouraged to attend and experience this jovial event.
Hilaritas comes from the Latin word hĭlărĭtas, meaning cheerfulness, merriment, and joyousness. Approaching the concert hall, I was first greeted outside its doors by a group of the UA University Singers performing pre-show carols. They serenaded the arriving crowd with holiday classics such as “White Christmas,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Silent Night.” Inside, bushels of poinsettias wrapped around the stage and a giant wreath was displayed on the center wall—it was hard not to be in the holiday mood. The performing university students mirrored traditional European markers of the holidays with their own unique festive outfits, ranging from flannel pajamas to elf hats and reindeer antlers, offering a refreshing break from the usual black-tie concert attire.
With the lights dimmed, Christopher Kozak, director of jazz studies and UA associate professor, took the stage to conduct the orchestra and choir. After thanking the audience for their attendance and introducing Dr. Morgan Luttig, director of choral activities, a hush fell over the room as he raised his baton. The orchestra and choir roared to life in an instant, beginning with a medley of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” as the concert’s opener. Their rendition of these tunes were particularly inspired, with the melodic voices of the University Singers beautifully harmonizing with the orchestra. The choir’s voices were melodic and lively. The orchestra filled the room with exciting turns of rhythm and meter changes more jubilant than a sleigh ride.
Dr. Luttig led the UA University Singers through the next few pieces, a couple of note being “Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles),” a traditional Judeo-Spanish song, and “Eatnemen Vuelie (Song of the Earth),” Frode Fjellheim’s composition inspired by the traditional yoik, a very old vocal tradition among the Sami people of Scandinavia and Russia, and featured in the 2013 Disney film, Frozen. Including selections from other languages added a satisfying well-roundedness to the concert, a refreshing break from the same set of English-language pop and Christian-focused holiday songs replayed on the radio. I was able to experience the joy of the holidays through the lens of multiple cultures and their composition styles. Under the guidance of Luttig, the performances from the choir were breathtaking, with the high notes resonating in the auditorium with the same melodic tone and clarity as chiming bells. Even without the accompaniment of the orchestra, the harmony shared by each singer’s voice shined through. The next selection, “A Child Is Born,” featured the talents of Sean Brown on the violin. A sonorous, beautiful melody erupts from their instrument as they pull the bow across the strings, moving both the music and crowd alike. It slowed into a delicate sound, softer than freshly fallen snow. The piece immediately after followed a similar theme, employing the talented voice of Rosemary Caldwell (soprano).
Following the final note, Kozak retook the stage to lead the UA Jazz Ensemble in “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” A jazz standard, it was enhanced by the vocals of Skip Stradman, whose deep yet harmonious voice was reminiscent of crooners like Frank Sinatra. The next solo was during “Cold December Night,” with the vocal talents of Trey-Lee Orndoff that rocked the stage. With these final few songs, the concert and orchestra alike were in full swing. Before beginning the song “I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ For Christmas,” Kozak reflected on his appreciation for the students in the orchestra, jazz band, and choir alike, joking about all of the mischief and laughter they bring. Further keeping with the silly, warm atmosphere of Hilaritas, the ensemble threw colorful balls of paper at Kozak, someone having discretely taped a note to his back that read “I STINK!” Through hearty laughter, the audience and performers alike enjoyed the brief moment of chaos. The entire ensemble was simultaneously rhythmic and rambunctious as the music began. Luckily, this was not to be the last moment of excitement in Hilaritas. During the ensemble’s rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (featuring Noah Graham as the Grinch), Big Al triumphantly paraded out of a door onto the back of the stage. With a friendly wave and wild dance routine, he certainly made his presence known.
Afterwards, Kozak raised the baton a final time to end Hilaritas in the same way it started: with a medley of everyone’s favorite classic holiday music. This time however, they played renditions of “Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire,” “Deck the Halls,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” With an infectiously merry energy carrying the music, accompanied by the delightful dancing of Big Al, the concert came to a close.
Hilaritas, the annual holiday concert, was organized by Christopher Kozak, Dr. Morgan Luttig, and Joseph Lee. It included performances from the University of Alabama Jazz Ensemble, University of Alabama Singers, and the University of Alabama Studio Orchestra. The UA University Singers were led by Dr. Morgan Luttig (conductor), Skip Stradtman (assistant conductor), and accompanied by Charles Geter IV (collaborative pianist). Soloists include Sean Brown (violin), Sydney Helgeson (vocalist), Rosemary Caldwell (vocalist), Skip Stradtman (vocalist), Trey-Lee Orndorff (vocalist), Noah Graham (vocalist), and Dr. Amir Zaheri (organ).