UGA Holiday Concerts 2017

Beginning this evening, the Hugh Hodgson School of Music Holiday Concerts, a longstanding Athens tradition, usher in the holiday season at the Hodgson Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m.:

The annual concerts, which are part of the Thursday Scholarship Series, will feature the UGA Symphony Orchestra, Hodgson Singers, Collegium Musicum, University Chorus, the Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs and the UGA British Brass Band.

“This concert is one of the largest concert productions of the school year, incorporating the UGA Symphony Orchestra, over 200 singers from five UGA choirs, the UGA British Brass Band and a jazz combo with vocal soloist,” said Daniel Bara, director of choral activities. “It is an opportunity for a large cross-section of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music to celebrate and perform sacred and secular music associated with the holidays.”

This year’s musical selections include Holst's Christmas Day, the Prelude to Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel and A Feast of Carols by Randol Bass, as well as a variety of other concert highlights including an audience sing-along of holiday carols.

“We’ve invited Teresa Grynia, a violin Doctor of Musical Arts student, to sing with her jazz trio,” said Bara. “The British Brass Band, led by renowned trumpet faculty Phil Smith, is also a highlight.  And, of course the sound of the full symphony orchestra and more than 200 singers collaborating on two grand holiday medleys is always a thrill to hear and a sight to behold.”

If you've never attended the combined choir and orchestra ensembles in concert together, it is a very moving experience sure to lift your spirit up and into the holiday mood. Definitely a campus event not to be missed. Through Friday Dec. 1. Excelsior!