Ouachita Baptist to present ‘A Festival of Christmas’ concert
ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present “A Festival of Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2 in Jones Performing Arts Center.
This year’s performances mark the 25th anniversary of the event and of the construction of Jones Performing Arts Center. To celebrate both of these, this year’s theme is “A Festival of Christmas: Celebrating 25 Years of Joy.”
“I want the audience to experience the immense talent that Ouachita possesses in the School of Fine Arts,” Gary Gerber, dean of the School of Fine Arts, said in a news release. “Our students are very talented and enjoy performing. This particular show not only represents that talent, but also the building for which it is performed in each year.”
Ouachita’s Concert Choir, Ouachita Sounds, Women’s Chorus and Ouachita Singers will each present selections throughout the concert. The Ouachita Honor Choir, a children’s chorus featuring children from the local community, also will join the performers on stage. Instrumental groups include Ouachita’s Handbell Ringers and a pit orchestra featuring several students from Ouachita’s instrumental program.
This year’s show will feature songs from past performances to celebrate the show’s history and also will introduce new songs to the event. Secular classics like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” will be featured, along with religious favorites such as “Breath of Heaven” and “O Holy Night.” The students involved in the show have been preparing throughout the fall semester, gearing up to help kick off the Christmas season for the community, the release said.
“I enjoy watching the students perform and share their talent with the audience,” Gerber added. “They are a joy to work with and bring a special joy and appreciation to the effort that I and other faculty put into this production.”
Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased online at http://www.obu.edu/boxoffice or at the JPAC Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Group rates also are available, and Ouachita students can receive one free ticket with their OBU IDs. Call the box office at 870-245-5555 during business hours for more information.