UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State student ensemble Essence of Joy will perform at the third annual WPSU Winterfest concert. 

Winterfest is a live winter music performance benefitting Penn State Public Media. The concert brings together musicians and vocalists from the University and greater State College community with the purpose of supporting local public broadcasting. 

Winterfest ’13: Our Gift In Song featuring Essence of Joy will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center’s Worship Hall at the University Park campus.

Founded and directed by Penn State professor of music and music education, Anthony Leach, Essence of Joy performs sacred and secular music from the African and African-American choral canon. A new piece, composed by Raymond Wise of Indiana University will premiere at this year’s concert. 

“The piece by Dr. Wise is a multi-movement piece that will bring everyone to tears,” said Jo Lash, Winterfest community volunteer chair. “It’s going to be beautiful, no doubt about it.”

Lash, who was a music educator for 20 years, is the founder of WPSU’s Winterfest and has remained the chair of its planning committee for all three years.

“Not only is it a unique style of music, it’s a very low priced concert compared to other holiday concerts. This is something every age group can come to. It’s multigenerational for sure, and a powerful storm of music,” Lash said. “And to combine it all into a benefit for WPSU is just amazing.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.wpsu.org/winterfest. Adult tickets are $20 and $5 tickets are available for those who are 18 or younger or who have a Penn State student ID. A limited number of will call tickets will be available at the door the evening of the concert.

This year’s concert will broadcast live on WPSU-FM and will run twice more through Christmas day.