The arts, languages and philosophy department at Missouri University of Science and Technology will present a choir concert featuring variations of traditional holiday selections at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, in Leach Theater of Castleman Hall, 10th and Main streets in Rolla.

Tickets are $5 for the public and free for Missouri S&T students and youth age 18 and younger. Tickets are available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before the performance from the Leach Theatre Box Office, located in the vestibule inside the main entrance to Leach Theatre of Castleman Hall, facing 10th Street.

The opening set of pieces, Three Latvian Carols by Andrejs Jansons, celebrates the ancient custom of mummery.

“Farmers would decorate their houses and prepare a full table of food and drink for crowds of masked and costumed mummers so that their farms would produce well. Mummers expected to receive gifts and were obligated to steal something when they left,” says Lorie Francis, choir conductor and lecturer in the arts, languages and philosophy department at Missouri S&T.

The combined choirs will perform a new setting of the traditional carol, In Dulci Jubilo, by Matthew Culloton, featuring a unique, almost jazzy, harmony. Gloria, by Randol Alan Bass will follow, combining traditional Latin text and a modern setting. It will feature S&T student Jarrad Kaiser on piano.

The Chamber Choir, an auditioned group, will perform O Magnum Mysterium by Tomas Luis de Victoria, which tells of the birth of Christ. First published in 1572, the Victoria setting has recently become a mainstay of choral groups. The Chamber Choir will also perform the traditional dreidel song, “Five-Sided S’vivon,” by Robert Applebaum; along with “30 Second Fa La La,” by Donald Moore; and “Noche de Paz,” arranged by Cesar Alejandro Carrillo.

The University Choir will round out the program with a piece by John Rutter, I Wish You Christmas; Ubi Caritas, by Ola Gjeilo, which evokes the mood of a Gregorian chant; and Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, by John Gardner.

For more information, contact the Missouri S&T performing arts office at 573-341-4185.