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KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 14, 2023

Music rep includes holiday classics plus big works from classical canon

黑料网鈥檚 Bailey School of Music will present the 2023 honoring Robert S. 鈥淏ob鈥� Geer, a distinguished benefactor, on Sat., Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.  An annual tradition, the concert features over 200 KSU students and faculty performing as part of the Choirs, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. This year鈥檚 lineup includes holiday classics, big works from the classical canon, and even music from some very famous holiday movies.

, Interim Director of the Bailey School of Music, says that it鈥檚 like a 鈥渃elebratory, end-of-semester holiday party! We are so excited to put on this concert and share this special, seasonal music with our community.鈥�  Children may want to sing along to a medley of songs from the popular children鈥檚 movie 鈥淔rozen,鈥� or dance to Tchaikovsky鈥檚 鈥淧as De Deux鈥� from the Nutcracker.

It will be hard not to dance to Kevin Phillip Johnson鈥檚 鈥淐hildren, Go Where I Send Thee,鈥� featuring the KSU Chamber Singers and Percussion. Other selections include 鈥淕reensleeves鈥� and 鈥淢ary, Did You Know?鈥� Bullard says that 鈥淢ary, Did You Know鈥� has become 鈥渧ery popular, and it is a wonderful arrangement. There鈥檚 really something for everyone at this concert.鈥� In a lively rendition of David Eddleman鈥檚 鈥淏idi Bom鈥� for Hanukkah, the combined choirs will be accompanied by the marimba. 

Each half of the program features choirs, one of the two largest wind ensembles, and the Symphony Orchestra. Director of Orchestra Studies and Associate Professor of Music explains that the selections for choirs 鈥渞epresent a wide range of styles, from sacred and secular holiday traditions both new and old. One fun highlight is 鈥楯ingle Bells Forever,鈥� written in the style of Sousa鈥檚 famous march, 鈥楽tars and Stripes Forever.鈥欌��

The Holiday Concert would not be complete without the 1948 edition of 鈥淪leigh Ride鈥� from Leroy Anderson. The Wind Ensemble will perform this popular tune in dedication to Robert S. 鈥淏ob鈥� Geer, a transformational benefactor for the College of the Arts whose support will positively impact arts students in life-changing ways. 

鈥淏ob grew up with a passion for the arts, particularly art, dance, and music. In fact, during the Great Depression, his family paid for his piano lessons with products from their farm. We are so pleased to be able to honor Bob with this concert, and to dedicate 鈥楽leigh Ride鈥� to him,鈥� says , Interim Dean of the College of the Arts. 

While it may not a wonderland of snow in Georgia, that doesn鈥檛 stop residents from gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land.  The warm venue, Morgan Concert Hall in the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center, will be festively decorated, and patrons are encouraged to wear holiday attire. Bullard says that even ugly holiday sweaters are encouraged. 

The 2023 Holiday Concert will be held on Sat., Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are available or by calling 470-578-6650.

--Kathie Beckett