Herald & Review (Decatur, IL)
December 3, 1991
Section: Life
Page: A7
Notable music
Brad Holmes takes over as Millikin University’s director of choirs, prepares for traditional Christmas Vespers program. He wants to break the audience barrier.
BOB FALLSTROM H&R Community News Editor
Brad Holmes insists: “Goodness, folks, we have to iron out these notes on the top of page 6.”
After three more tries, the Millikin University Choir gets a thumbs-up sign.
“It’s amazing when you sing the notes that Are written here,” Holmes points to the sheet of music. “You’re amazing for Midwesterners.”
This observation brings a laugh. “I’m from the southwest,” Holmes says. “I make mean enchiladas.”
Making music is his specialty now as Millikin’s new director of choral activities. Getting to know the singers, getting his style across is the
challenge. The rehearsal turns out to be a series of do-it-again commands Holmes mixes with individual attention in a goodhumored manner.
Yes, there have been changes since Holmes replaced the retired Richard Hoffland in August, changes in the audition procedure, changes in the number of rehearsals, changes in the time of rehearsals.
There will be changes, too, in the traditional Christmas Vespers program Sunday in Kirkland Fine Arts Center (3 p.m. and 7 p.m., free).
Christmas Vespers, Millikin’s Christmas gift to the community, was conceived and directed by Hoffland in 1959, with the help of his wife, Kathryne, and Dwight Jordan and Wil Miller.
Seeking to break down the barrier between the audience and the choir, Holmes intends to position the choir in the audience at times.
The music will be a mix of new and traditional songs, Holmes says. “The music will be warm, festive, upbeat,” he promises. The theme is “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”
Holmes adds: “We want to continue the Vespers tradition. One of the goals is to encourage a new group of people to become a part of vespers. We have a loyal audience but there’s room to grow, room to attract a young audience.
“We’ll have an hour and 15 minute program. I think the audience will leave wanting more.”
The program includes all of the Millikin choirs —the 43-voice University Choir and the 50-voice Millikin Men under the direction of Holmes, the 85-voice Women’s Chorus under the direction of Holmes’ wife, Beth, and the 27-voice Chamber Choir, under the direction of James Kimmel.
The student-led 18-member Millikin Madrigals also will perform. There will be a 12-member brass group, too, plus timpani and organ. “Soundwise, it will be spectacular,” Holmes speculates.
The 35-year-old Holmes is from Albuquerque, N. M., and met Beth while they were graduate students at Arizona State University, Tempe. They had been married two months when they were hired as conductors at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. They were at Luther six years.
December 3, 1991
Section: Life
Page: A7
Notable music
Brad Holmes takes over as Millikin University’s director of choirs, prepares for traditional Christmas Vespers program. He wants to break the audience barrier.
BOB FALLSTROM H&R Community News Editor
Brad Holmes insists: “Goodness, folks, we have to iron out these notes on the top of page 6.”
After three more tries, the Millikin University Choir gets a thumbs-up sign.
“It’s amazing when you sing the notes that Are written here,” Holmes points to the sheet of music. “You’re amazing for Midwesterners.”
This observation brings a laugh. “I’m from the southwest,” Holmes says. “I make mean enchiladas.”
Making music is his specialty now as Millikin’s new director of choral activities. Getting to know the singers, getting his style across is the
challenge. The rehearsal turns out to be a series of do-it-again commands Holmes mixes with individual attention in a goodhumored manner.
Yes, there have been changes since Holmes replaced the retired Richard Hoffland in August, changes in the audition procedure, changes in the number of rehearsals, changes in the time of rehearsals.
There will be changes, too, in the traditional Christmas Vespers program Sunday in Kirkland Fine Arts Center (3 p.m. and 7 p.m., free).
Christmas Vespers, Millikin’s Christmas gift to the community, was conceived and directed by Hoffland in 1959, with the help of his wife, Kathryne, and Dwight Jordan and Wil Miller.
Seeking to break down the barrier between the audience and the choir, Holmes intends to position the choir in the audience at times.
The music will be a mix of new and traditional songs, Holmes says. “The music will be warm, festive, upbeat,” he promises. The theme is “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”
Holmes adds: “We want to continue the Vespers tradition. One of the goals is to encourage a new group of people to become a part of vespers. We have a loyal audience but there’s room to grow, room to attract a young audience.
“We’ll have an hour and 15 minute program. I think the audience will leave wanting more.”
The program includes all of the Millikin choirs —the 43-voice University Choir and the 50-voice Millikin Men under the direction of Holmes, the 85-voice Women’s Chorus under the direction of Holmes’ wife, Beth, and the 27-voice Chamber Choir, under the direction of James Kimmel.
The student-led 18-member Millikin Madrigals also will perform. There will be a 12-member brass group, too, plus timpani and organ. “Soundwise, it will be spectacular,” Holmes speculates.
The 35-year-old Holmes is from Albuquerque, N. M., and met Beth while they were graduate students at Arizona State University, Tempe. They had been married two months when they were hired as conductors at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. They were at Luther six years.
Copyright, 1991, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL