Central’s music program will showcase seven concerts in December, including the program’s annual Christmas Candlelight concerts.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, with a concert titled “Evening of Flute & Percussion” in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. Percussion Ensemble will be directed by Stan Dahl, senior lecturer of music. Flute Ensemble will be directed by Hannah Weiss, adjunct instructor of music. Dahl’s Intersections class will perform a drumming demonstration titled “Responsible Citizenship” as part of Central’s 2021-22 academic theme. Central’s Dutch Boom will perform to conclude the evening’s entertainment.
Next, ALMA will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, in Cox-Snow Music Center. The concert will be directed by Gabriel Espinosa, a 1979 Central graduate and associate professor of music. General admission is $10 and free for Central students.
The Flying Pans Steel Band Caribbean Christmas concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. Dahl will direct the performance. Admission is $5 or free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. The concert will be directed by Eileen McGonigal, assistant professor of music and director of bands.
The first Christmas Candlelight concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 4114 Allison Ave in Des Moines. A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers will perform under the direction of Mark Babcock, a 1991 Central graduate, professor of music and M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music. To reserve seats, visit events.central.edu. Tickets for adults are $12; students to age 22 and senior citizens are $10; and free to those who present a Central ID.
A Christmas Candlelight Dinner will be held Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11, in Graham Conference Center in Vermeer Banquet Room. A cash bar will be available at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required, and the deadline is midnight Friday, Dec. 3. To reserve seats, visit events.central.edu. Tickets for adults are $15, children ages 5-12 are $10 and Central students are $8. Children ages 4 and under are free.
Christmas Candlelight concerts will follow both dinners at 8 p.m. in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. A reception also will follow both performances at 9 p.m. in Graham Conference Center.
Masks are strongly encouraged and will be provided at the door for each concert. All performances are free unless otherwise noted.
