The Southwestern College music department will present its annual Family Christmas concert Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m., in Richardson Auditorium of the Christy Administration Building.  There is no admission charge.

“What a wonderful time of the year to gather with family and enjoy music of the season,” says Daniel Stevens, assistant professor of music, director of strings at Southwestern.  “This concert often pulls in a large crowd, and the energy felt in Richardson is incredible.” 

Scheduled to perform is the South Kansas Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Stevens, as well as the A Cappella Choir and the SC Singers under the direction of David Gardner, director of choirs at SC.  At the conclusion of the concert, as audience members exit Richardson Auditorium, they will be entertained by an SC jazz combo under the direction of Mike Jones, director of jazz at Southwestern.   Refreshments will be served and everyone is invited to stay and visit.

The South Kansas Symphony will perform “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, several collections of traditional holiday music, and cellist Quinn Lake will play a version of “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) arranged by Manheim Steamroller.

Among the selections the SC Singers will perform are “What Sweeter Music” and “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind” by John Rutter. 

Selections by the A Cappella Choir include “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” by David Cherwien, and “Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree” (with the Musica! Choirs directed by Cheryl Gardner) by Elizabeth Poston. 

Gardner will give way to a SC student who has a future in music.

“I am excited that Budi Taniwan, one of our senior music majors, will be conducting ‘Awake, Arise, and Hail the Morn’ with the A Cappella Choir and organ,” Gardner says.  “Budi has been a valuable assistant during his years at SC, and is a promising young conductor.”

The concert will conclude with the traditional closing hymns of “Beautiful Savior” and “Silent Night.”

Accompanying the choirs will be James Leland, organ, and Stephen Butler and Joanna Woon, piano.

The jazz combo will perform “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Oh Tannenbaum,” and “Little Drummer Boy.”

“This is a great opportunity for the jazz combo to perform some wonderful holiday repertoire in new and refreshing ways,” Jones says.  “It is always great to perform at this venue with the Christmas spirit as the focus.”

For more information, call (620) 229-6272.