The USF Health Orchestra and Choir filled the USF Health Rotunda with the sounds of the holiday season at noontime Dec. 12, lifing the spirits of those who came to their first concert.

Led by conductor Dr. Frazier Stevenson, associate dean of Undergraduate Medical Education at the USF College of Medicine, the orchestra and choir performed such holiday favorites as Sleighride and Carol of the Bells, the traditional spiritual Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow, and pieces from The Nutcracker. The audience was invited to join in on three traditional carols before the ensemble closed with a rousing rendition of Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah.

The USF Health Orchestra and Choir was formed to foster musical training, morale and interprofessional collaboration among staff, students, faculty and friends of USF Health.  The musicians and vocalists in the group are from the colleges of medicine, nursing, public health and pharmacy.

The group will reconvene for weekly rehearsals in January to prepare for a spring concert featuring revolutionary music from around the world.

Anyone interested in supporting or performing with either the choir or the orchestra can contact Frazier Stevenson at fstevens@health.usf.edu or (813) 974-7131.

Photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communications