Annual Holiday Concert celebrates the season

The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music Holiday Concerts, a longstanding Athens tradition, will usher in the holiday season at the Hodgson Concert Hall November 30 and December 1 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.”

The Holiday Concerts conclude the Thursday Scholarship Series for 2017. The series returns on Jan. 11 with a solo performance from Evgeny Rivkin, professor of piano.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $10 for children/students and are available at pac.uga.edu and the Performing Arts Center box office. Those unable to attend can view the performance live on the School of Music’s website: music.uga.edu/streaming.

~ By Jessica Luton

The Thursday Scholarship Series began in 1980 and continues the tradition of “Music Appreciation Programs” started by Hugh Hodgson in the 1930s. Proceeds from contributions and ticket sales to these concerts are among the primary means through which School of Music scholarship funds are raised each year.

The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 performances each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu.