News

Southwestern Michigan College Department of Fine and Performing Arts’ bands and choirs Dec. 7 delivered their annual gift to the community, the Holiday Concert.

Chorllennium, conducted by Director of Choral Activities David Carew, opened the evening with traditional French carols, “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella” and “Chantons Noel,” plus “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Men’s Ensemble performed “African Noel,” then the Choral Scholars sang “Veni Emmanuel!,” “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Carol of the Bells.”

The Collegiate Chorale presented “White Christmas,” “Ecce Novum,” “December Moon” and “Deck the Halls Rag.”

The Jazz Ensemble, under the baton of Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth, hit the stage of the theatre in the Dale A. Lyons Building after intermission with Trystyn Little singing “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” which also featured Joe Rizzo on a tenor saxophone solo.

Rizzo, of Niles, and alto saxophonist Isaiah Morris of Elkhart were also spotlighted on “What Child is This?” and “Tis the Season to be Funky,” which also featured a drum solo by Logan Petruska of Edwardsburg.

Hollandsworth’s Symphonic Band offered “Farandole, from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2,” “A Fireside Medley” and “Candlelight Carol.”

Everyone assembled onstage for the rousing traditional finale, Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival,” with the audience singing along in a medley of “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen,” “Good King Wencelas,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”