Southwest Michigan College’s fine arts department shines at Holiday Concert
The audience joined in a sing-along of holiday classics, including “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Silent Night.”
Southwestern Michigan College’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts presented its annual Holiday Concert last Saturday evening, featuring performances by the college’s bands and choirs.
The concert, held in the Dale A. Lyons Building, opened with Chorllennium, conducted by Director of Choral Activities David Carew, performing traditional French carols, “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella” and “Chantons Noel,” plus “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The Men’s Ensemble, Choral Scholars, and Collegiate Chorale also showcased their talents with a variety of holiday selections, including “African Noel,” “Veni Emmanuel!,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and “Deck the Halls Rag.”
After intermission, the Jazz Ensemble, directed by Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth, took the stage. The ensemble featured Trystyn Little on vocals for “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!”, and saxophone solos by Joe Rizzo of Niles and Isaiah Morris of Elkhart on “What Child is This?” and “Tis the Season to be Funky,” respectively. The latter also featured a drum solo by Logan Petruska of Edwardsburg. Hollandsworth’s Symphonic Band concluded the evening with “Farandole, from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2,” “A Fireside Medley,” and “Candlelight Carol.”
The concert culminated in a traditional finale with all performers joining together for Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival.” The audience joined in a sing-along of holiday classics, including “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Silent Night.”
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