ST. GEORGE – The Dixie State College of Utah Symphony Band will formally open DSC’s slate of holiday concerts on Nov. 30, followed by a performance from the DSC Jazz Ensemble on Dec. 5 and a performance from the DSC Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 8.
The Symphony Band concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Eccles Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on the DSC campus. Under the direction of conductor Gary Caldwell, who is in his 34th year at DSC, the band will perform ten holiday and winter-themed compositions. Songs include Randol Alan Bass’s “Gloria,” Frank Ticheli’s “Joy Revisited” and “Amazing Grace,” James M. Stephenson’s “Overture to a Winter Celebration” and John Prescott’s “Winterfest.”
The ensemble will also play “Holiday Portraits,” a contemporary arrangement of classic Christmas carols arranged by Sean O’Laughlin, and Gustav Holst’s “Christmas Day,” a set of variations on “Good Christian Men, Rejoice,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The First Noel” and “Russian Christmas Music.” The evening will conclude with a modern composition from Samuel R. Hazo entitled “Across the Halfpipe” and “A Holiday Celebration,” composed by United States Air Force Band arranger Larry MacTaggart.
The Jazz Ensemble concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Eccles Fine Arts Center Mainstage Theater. Under the direction of DSC Music Department Chair Glenn Webb, the group will perform music from Count Basie, Earth, Wind and Fire, Radiohead, Duke Ellington’s arrangement of “The Nutcracker” and music inspired by “Prairie Home Companion.” Additionally, DSC music adjunct professor Lisle Crowley will lead his professional ensemble in a set of tunes during the concert.
The Symphony Band concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Avenna Center Cox Auditorium. Directed by Dr. Paul Abegg, they will perform such holiday classics as “Sleigh Ride,” “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night” and music from the film “The Polar Express.” And in what has become an annual DSC tradition, the evening will be highlighted by a performance of Bill Holcombe’s arrangement of “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” featuring DSC First Lady Margaret D. Nadauld as narrator.
General admission tickets for each concert are $5; $1 for DSC students and faculty with valid identification. Patrons may also purchase tickets beforehand at the Eccles Fine Arts Center or Avenna Center box offices, by calling 435-652-7800 or online.
Event details and contact information
Date: Nov. 30 (Symphony Band concert,) Dec. 5 (Jazz Ensemble concert,) Dec. 8 (Symphony Orchestra concert)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Eccles Fine Arts Center Concert Hall (Symphony Band concert,) Eccles Fine Arts Center Mainstage Theater (Jazz Ensemble concert,) Avenna Center Cox Auditorium (Symphony Orchestra concert,) DSC campus
Admission: $5 general admission, $1 DSC students and faculty
Contact: DSC Music Department – 435-652-7790
Submitted by: Dixie State College of Utah
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews