On Dec. 3, the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory will host its annual Holiday Concert benefit concert. This event is sponsored by Friends of the Conservatory, a group that supports student programs at the Conservatory through volunteering and donations.
Audience members who have attended past Holiday Concerts might notice a few changes this year. Faculty realized that having a huge part of the student body perform all day right before finals week wasn’t ideal, so they cut it down to one afternoon concert.
“The numbers for this concert are fewer than usual. All four curricular choirs used to perform two holiday concerts: an afternoon and evening concert,” said Dr. Mark Weagraff, vocal studies department chair and associate professor.
The concert will feature the repertoire that BW Singers, one of BW’s curricular choirs, has prepared for the semester.
“A recorder consort, brass ensemble, and dancing will all make appearances at this concert,” said Weagraff, who has also conducted the BW Singers for 5 years.
The holiday concert is open to the public, and is a community-based event that usually sells out. “Community members come to support the work that is going on at BW,” Weagraff said. “This concert is a more immediately accessible concert, that can appeal to a wider demographic than what we normally do.”
Other ensembles performing at the concert include the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Music Theater students, and a new jazz choir called “Moondaze.”
“I really love holiday concerts; I always have,” said Weagraff. “I enjoy the opportunity to program music that the audience and performers can simply enjoy.”
Though the concert falls on the Sunday before finals week, Weagraff said that he thinks it’s a good experience for the students involved.
“I hope it provides students an opportunity to perform for fun and enjoy singing,” Weagraff said.
Junior Sean Mucha, music education major, shared his enthusiasm about serving the community for the Holiday Concert.
“If I can provide joy to community members by singing, I am happy to do that,” said Mucha.