Performing and Fine Arts
College of Arts and Sciences
December 1, 2017
The University of Portland's annual Advent Concert is always a highlight of the performance year, but this year’s concert will mark a special milestone, as concert director and long-time professor of music Dr. Michael Connolly, DMA, prepares to retire.
"I am calling this retirement year a 'Year of Favorites.' The choir will be singing pieces I love to hear," stated Connolly. "The unifying theme this year is the Gloria, the song of the angels at Bethlehem."
Songs set to be performed include a choral arrangement of an Andalusian carol in Spanish that Connolly himself composed for the singers as well as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" during the candlelight procession.
The performance will be held on Saturday, December 9th at 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and will feature the University Singers and Women’s Chorale. Kathryn Briggs will be directing alongside Connolly and Guadalupe Zamora-Resendiz will act as student conducting associate. The concert is free, but seating is limited and tickets are required.
This year, the choir will be performing with a 14-piece orchestra including strings, trumpet, oboe, and organ, alongside the University trombone ensemble and handbell choir.
Connolly has been at UP since 1988 after receiving his Bachelor's degrees in voice and music education from the University of Washington and his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Southern California. He is a talented composer and musician and has published the well-known guidebook, The Parish Cantor among other publications. When he first arrived on campus, he was a visiting assistant professor, but soon became a full-time faculty member.
"The best advice I ever got was from Fr. Richard Berg, C.S.C., who was the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the time. He told me to make myself indispensable and UP would find a permanent position for me," said Connolly. "I didn’t realize it, but I was already doing so, and the regular faculty appointment came two years later."
During his time at UP, Connolly consistently helped the Department of Performing and Fine Arts with whatever they needed. He composed music for University liturgies, arranged the Alma Mater for the band and orchestra which is played at commencement, and volunteered for multiple committees.
Considering all the work he has done throughout his time at UP, directing the Advent Concert each year has been a highlight for Connolly as the students work immensely hard to prepare for the show, as they have been practicing three days a week since returning from Fall Break.
"All these rehearsals are particularly difficult for the students during the last week of class," noted Connolly. "But they rise to the occasion, preparing like professionals and performing with all that wonderful enthusiasm of youth."
Throughout his years directing the annual concert, Connolly has made many memories but his favorite moment happens just before the performance starts. "The organ prelude is finished, the lights are dimmed, and the students light their candles," he said . "At that moment, I know everything is ready and we can just celebrate the music and the accomplishments of the students."
The Advent Concert has been a large part of Connolly's time at UP, but the impact of the community is what he will take with him as he retires while he also reflects on how he has left his mark on the university
"I have received wonderful support from the faculty, students, and Holy Cross Community," he added. "I am pleased that I was able to bring a professional level of musicianship to Campus Ministry and it delights me that Maureen Briare, who was a student director under my leadership, has grown the chapel music program beyond my wildest dreams."
For more information on the Advent Concert or to reserve free tickets, call 503-943-7228.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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