Dec. 5, 2025 Vol. 101, No. 08 NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A OPINIONS . . . . . . . . . . 3&4A SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1B COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . 2B LIFESTYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . 4B
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‘Sounds of Christmas’ returns tonight MICHAEL WRYE beat reporter
Photo provided by JEFF MONTGOMERY
Irish tenor Emmet Cahill performs in last year’s “The Sounds of Christmas” production in the Benson Auditorium. Cahill will be performing at this year’s edition of the production tonight.
Tonight, Arts and Life is partnering with Emmet Cahill, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Harding’s Grand Chorus and Orchestra to present the second annual gala Christmas concert called “The Sounds of Christmas.” The performance will be held in the Benson auditorium at 7:30, and tickets are still available, with prices depending on seat location. The first “Sounds of Christmas” last year was a phenomenal success, with the Benson almost completely sold out, and so the Department of Music wanted to bring it back again. The Harding Grand Chorus consists of both the Chorus and Concert Choir. Over the semester, they have been rehearsing songs for the concert separately and occasionally meeting together for joint rehearsals. The Chorus consists of around 60 members and meets every weekday at noon for rehearsals, focusing on sacred unaccompanied pieces, while the Concert Choir has around 40 members, meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon, and performs various hymns and spirituals. Together, as the grand chorus, they will sing several selections, including traditional Christmas choral classics and also relatively unknown and antiquated arrangements like “Olde Christmastime.” Cahill will sing solos for most songs backed by the glorious sound of the Grand Chorus. Wes Rogers, a sophomore in Chorus, reflects on his favorite song. “O Holy Night is always one of my favorite pieces in the program every year,” Rogers said. “Performing alongside the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Emmet Cahill, the piece is just powerful. It fills the entire room.” Emmet Cahill is an Irish tenor who is best known as the lead singer of the PBS phenomenon. According to his website, Cahill “recently made sold-out debuts at New York’s Carnegie Hall and with the world Tabernacle Choir. His Irish album debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Music Charts with Sony Music USA. Recent appearances include: The Today Show, New York’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, US Pentagon, Atlanta Symphony Hall.”
The members of the vocal ensemble are excited to perform with Cahill again. Caitlyn Arnold, a sophomore and member of Chorus, reflects on last year’s experience. “He’s actually so kind and really fun to chat with,” Arnold said. “Every time we had to restart something, he was just so kind about it, and on top of that, he’s incredibly talented. It’s like listening to an angel. He has this short little Irish man who’s his friend and follows him around and helps him out. I think he’s his manager. They’re both just the sweetest.” The Grand Chorus will meet with Cahill and the symphony orchestra for their only full rehearsal tonight at four before the performance. Despite this, the Grand Chorus is well prepared. “From the chorus’ end, it doesn’t feel rushed or pulled together last minute,” said Rogers. “We’ve dedicated pretty much every rehearsal after our lectureship concert to this music. It’s always interesting to put all the pieces together, but we’re all individually prepared.”
In this issue Football in playoffs, 1B
Christmas crossword, 4B
Harding reacts to former admissions counselor’s arrest KENZIE JAMES news editor
Harding terminated an admissions counselor’s employment after he was arrested in November. 31-year-old Marcos Moralez was arrested Nov. 12 on five felony charges of distribution, possession and viewing matter depicting child sex. He was arrested by the Conway Police Department in Conway, Arkansas, and was booked in the Faulkner County Detention Center that afternoon. Harding acknowledged Moralez’s arrest to faculty and students on the afternoon of Nov. 14. The president’s office emailed faculty and staff, while dean of student life Zach Neal contacted students. The emails were identical, except for the person to contact if students and faculty and staff had questions. “Harding University is saddened to learn of the arrest of Marcos Moralez, an admissions
counselor,” the emails said. “He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.” Placing Moralez on unpaid administrative leave included removing his access to buildings on campus and his Harding email. Assistant Vice President of University Communications and Marketing Jack Shock said on Dec. 1 that Moralez is no longer employed at Harding. He said the University is not involved in the case aside from being listed as Moralez’s employer in court records. “Our legal team hasn’t had any official notification from either Faulkner County or the state about this case,” Shock said. The court record said Moralez’s review hearing is set for Dec. 8. More information will be available online after he appears in court. A Harding alumnus, Moralez worked in the admissions office after he graduated in 2021. He recruited students in the southwest and plains regions, which includes Arizona,
New Mexico, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Colorado. Shock said Dr. Nate Copeland examined the admissions and enrollment office’s policies and procedures with his employees after Moralez’s arrest. He said they are also searching Moralez’s records and communications with families he contacted during recruiting efforts. The University addressed the arrest again in chapel on Nov. 18 after HU16 covered the story during chapel announcements. Executive V ice President Jean-Noel Thompson got on stage and encouraged students to pray for Moralez and all those involved with the case. “That’s something we don’t take lightly here at Harding, and we are certainly working through this very sad, difficult situation,” Thompson said. “I would ask that you join me, wherever you are, in praying for him, praying for healing in his life, praying for those that his decisions have impacted, in
Photo provided by Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office
Marcos Moralez, 31, was arrested by Conway Police Nov. 12. Moralez currently faces five felony charges. an awful way. That’s who we are. We’re going to stand for what’s good, what’s true, what’s right, but we’re also going to offer up prayers for people who make really, really bad decisions.”