Standard Christmas songs will not be the only things performed during the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble's annual holiday show. Patrons will also hear the public premiere of a piece written for the university by one of the world's most prestigious composers.

William Abdallah, an Auburn resident who is a member of the 38-piece ensemble, said visitors would get the rare chance of being the first to listen to a premiere written by an award-winning musician.

“In Praise of Science,” by Robert Ward, was written to celebrate the opening of the Life Sciences Complex at the university. Ward is best known for his 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, “The Crucible,” which is an adaptation of an Author Miller play.

“How many times has something written by somebody as big as Robert Ward premiered in Auburn?” Abdallah asked. “This guy has written all kinds of things. When it comes to music, this guy is Mr. Big.”

Even though the ensemble usually only performs brass pieces, “In Praise of Science” was written for a a vocal part, which will be sung by Laura Enslin, Abdallah said. The words are adapted from an Anne Lynch Botta poem called “In Praise of Science.”

While the performance will not qualify as a world premiere, Abdallah said it would be a public premiere.

“This is the first public premiere because we did a private one several weeks ago,” Abdallah said. “We first played the piece at Syracuse when they opened the new building, but we only played for the faculty, staff and other people who were invited. This will be the first public performance, and how often is Auburn the first for something as big as this.”

Given the nature of the premiere, Abdallah said he hoped to see every seat in the SS. Peter and John Episcopal Church filled.

“The one goal I had when I joined the ensemble was to see that church filled up for one of our performances,” Abdallah said. “Hopefully this piece will be just the thing we need to make that goal a reality.”

While Ward's piece will be the highlight at this year's performance, the event will also feature several other overtures and Christmas carols to get people ready for the holidays

With Enslin only performing the one song, Abdallah said it would not be uncommon for the audience to participate by singing.

“The people will sing when they know the songs,” Abdallah said. “This is really a great way to prepare for the holidays, so we like to think of ourselves as the kickoff for the holiday season in Auburn. We like to play a lot of Christmas carols, and the people enjoy it so much that they are still singing or humming as they go out the doors.”

Nate Robson

253-5311 ext. 248

nathan.robson@lee.net