Central College’s music department will offer a variety of virtual performances in December, highlighted by the Christmas Candlelight Concert.
In its 46th year, the annual event will look different amid COVID-19 protocols. It will be pre-recorded on Hoekstra Family Stage in Douwstra Auditorium and premiere to an online audience at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11.
Under the direction of Mark Babcock, a 1991 Central graduate and the M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music and professor of music, the A Cappella Choir, Chambers Singers and Handbell Ensemble come together for one of the college’s most cherished traditions. This year’s theme is “Peace on Earth.”
The Christmas Candlelight Concert will be available for free at central.edu/candlelight.
Other scheduled livestreamed performances in December are:
- “An Evening of Percussion Music,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2: Watch a livestream concert of the Percussion Ensemble and the Dutch Boom Drumline as they perform drum cadences, marimba quartets, solo marimba music and an original composition featuring cymbals, gongs and tam-tams … oh my!
- Flying Pans Steel Band “Caribbean Christmas,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5: Savor your favorite Christmas classics with a tropical twist! “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night” and Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Wizards in Winter.” Proceeds will benefit the Central Cares Fund.
- Symphonic Wind Ensemble “Winter Spectacular,” 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10: The Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “A Movement for Rosa” and “Christmas at the Movies” with selections of popular Christmas music by John Williams.
All will be livestreamed for free.