Duke in Pics: Employee Concert Kicks Off Holidays
The Duke Medicine Orchestra played holiday favorites for crowd in Trent Semans Center
The halls of the Trent Semans Center echoed with the melody of “Sleigh Ride” Thursday as the Duke Medicine Orchestra played holiday carols and classical favorites.
About 100 Duke employees and visitors gathered in Great Hall to hear the nearly 90-member ensemble, comprised of Duke doctors, researchers, staff, students and affiliates. The group played other selections such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, “A Christmas Festival” and “The Typewriter.”
“I just love the holiday season and it felt wonderful, having a wonderful crowd, the wonderful audience that we had today,” said Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant, conductor of the Duke Medicine Orchestra. “It’s a great way to get the season started.”
Wendy O’Meara, an assistant professor with the Duke Global Health Institute, held her 1-year-old son, Eli, in her arms as he clapped his hands to the drumbeat.
O’Meara said her family lives in Kenya, where she conducts malaria research and teaches at Moi University as part of the Duke Global Health Institute. They are visiting the U.S. for the holidays, she said.
“We really wanted Eli to experience the live music,” O’Meara added. “The concert reminded me we need to make music a big part of this holiday.”
Each attendee received a “Season’s Greetings” chocolate bar from Duke’s Staff and Family Programs in Human Resources, which organized Thursday’s event.
Did you miss the Employee Holiday Concert? The Duke Medicine Orchestra is holding another free concert, “A Classical Christmas,” for the Duke and Durham community on Dec. 8. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Baldwin Auditorium.
In the above photo, Gary Evoniuk, a Duke alumnus, plays the typewriter during the Duke Medicine Orchestra's rendition of "The Typewriter" by Leroy Anderson.
Wendy O'Meara, an assistant professor with the Duke Global Health Institute, watches the Employee Holiday Concert with her son, 1-year-old Eli.
Qihua Fan, left, and Lee Hong, middle, play violin during the Duke Medicine Orchestra's Employee Holiday Concert.