Collaborative Christmas Concert at SIC Dec. 8

Christmas music is in the air at Southeastern Illinois College as the SIC Concert Choir and the SIC Community Chorus prepare for A Collaborative Christmas concert. Joining SIC this year are special guests the Harrisburg High School Band and the HHS Jazz Band.

The concert is Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. on the Allan G. Kimball stage in the George T. Dennis Visual and Performing Arts Center at SIC.

“This concert is going to be one to remember for all of the right reasons,” said SIC music instructor and Concert Choir Director, Cory Garmane. “For those who come to listen, they will be treated to an afternoon of amazing Christmas music sure to put them into the holiday mood. This concert has something for everyone whether they love choral music, concert band music, or jazz. Everyone involved in this concert has been putting in a great deal of hard work to prepare for this event and their hard work shows.”

Songs include Christmas favorites, such as Oh Holy Night and Carol of the Bells as well as solo concert band and jazz band Christmas music, Leroy Anderson’s Festival of Carols, Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams, and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

Co-Directors for the event include Garmane, Tim Green as the SIC Community Chorus director, and Hannah Drake as the HHS Band and Jazz Band director.

“We’re excited to work with SIC on this event,” said Drake. “SIC has a wonderful performance space, and I have always wanted to have the HHS Concert Band perform there. It’s been so enjoyable planning this event with Cory and Tim.”

Garmane said he has been looking forward to this collaboration all semester.

“One of the best aspects of this concert is that it provides a unique experience to our various performing forces. Our student Concert Choir usually performs a cappella or with piano accompaniment, as does our Community Chorus. This concert will give them the experience of singing with a large instrumental ensemble. It’s exciting and adds a whole new dimension to the joy that is making music,” said Garmane. “I imagine Hanna Drake will say the same about the band. Hannah has developed her band program into one of the best in the entire state of Illinois. This concert will give her students the unique opportunity of collaborating with a vocal ensemble.”

Green added, “This concert will be a real treat for the audience as musicians from multiple generations perform together.”

Admission to the concert is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information on A Collaborative Christmas concert, contact Garmane at 618-252-5400 ext. 2235 or cory.garmane@sic.edu.

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