Crowd favorite returns to the Ford Center
For anyone with a busy schedule wondering how to get in the holiday spirit, the University of Mississippi Department of Music offers its 2019 Holiday Concert.
This popular Oxford holiday event is set for 7:30 pm December 5 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
This year’s Holiday Concert will feature seasonal favorites performed by four Ole Miss music ensembles: the UM Chorus, University Symphony Orchestra, The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble, and UM Steel Orchestra.
“More than 200 student performers are on the program,” said Donald Trott, UM director of choral activities. “It’s a great way to start your holiday off with festive seasonal music.”
Violinist Jiwon Lee, a graduate music student from Oxford, has played with the symphony at the Holiday Concert since she was in high school. “It doesn’t feel like the holidays to me until the night of this concert,” she said.
The concert will be presented in two parts. The first features several works for chorus and orchestra, including a sacred medley of carols and “Festival First Nowell,” followed by a secular medley titled “Christmas Joy.” A special feature will be “Bugler’s Holiday,” featuring three trumpets and orchestra.
“Bugler’s Holiday” is great fun to play, said Jesse Gibens, trumpet player and a senior music major from Ripley. “It’s a popular piece by Leroy Anderson, who also wrote ‘Sleigh Ride.'”
The second part of the program will include selections by The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble and the UM Steel Orchestra.
“I’m looking forward to seeing friends perform in the different ensembles, and to hearing music that will get me in the holiday spirit,” said Sam Farris, tuba player and a senior music education major from Southaven.
Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for children or anyone with an Ole Miss ID, available at the UM Box Office or at the door.
By Lynn Adams Wilkins/ University of Mississippi
