West Chester University invites the community to ring in the holidays with a festive celebration of music at the 101st Annual Holiday Concert. The concert is on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 3 PM in the 1200-seat Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall in Philips Memorial Building at 700 South High Street.

Director of Jazz Studies Jonathan Ragonese directs. Tickets are $14 at wcupatix.com or 610-436-2266. The concert will also be available to watch via livestream at vimeo.com/wsom.

A time-honored tradition since its inception in 1921, the Holiday Concert features choral, orchestral and jazz ensembles from the esteemed Wells School of Music in a 90-minute concert of both sacred and secular music, including holiday favorites as well as selections that are inspired by the Season.

“The Wells School of Music invites members of our surrounding community to this joyous and family-friendly event. It is the perfect way to jump-start the holiday season,” said Ragonese

Participating in the concert are many of the Wells School of Music’s ensembles including the WCU Symphony Orchestra, the Criterions Jazz Ensemble, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Cantari Donne, and Mastersingers.

Highlights include selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and an orchestrated reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas performed by the WCU Symphony Orchestra and narrated by Dean Christopher Hanning; a combined choral performance of In Terra Pax, conducted by David DeVenney; and many favorite holiday jazz selections from The Criterions Jazz Ensemble.

An event highlight is a rendition of “O Holy Night,” sung by the winner of the vocal honors competition, who is chosen by a faculty panel. It was traditionally awarded to the best female soloist, but now spotlights either a male or female vocalist. This year’s winning vocalist is Sofia Bobrysheva ’22, who comes to West Chester University via Canada and Russia.

Limited parking is available across and along the street just outside the Philips Memorial Building. Parking is also available in West Chester’s M Lot, just a short walk away, and also in the Sharpless Street Garage. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged. 

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