UNC Asheville’s music department will serve up an offering of gospel, swing, jazz and holiday tunes as it wraps up the fall concert season. Events are open to the public; a $5 donation will be suggested at the door.

The Ebony Ensemble will perform gospel selections ranging from traditional to contemporary compositions at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Under the direction of Leonard Smith, the choir is composed of UNCA students as well as community members.

Don your dancing shoes for UNCA’s annual Big Band Swing Dance from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in the Justice Center. The dance features music by the UNCA Community Jazz Band and swing dance lessons with Eliot and Meredith Zaiken. Beginner lessons will be held from 6-6:30 p.m. followed by intermediate lessons from 6:30-7 p.m. Guests are asked to wear only soft-soled shoes to protect the gymnasium floor.

The UNCA Jazz Lab Big Band, directed by Tim Haden, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Committed to new compositions and arrangements, the 12-member Lab Band will spotlight pieces by Ellington, Gershwin, Metheny and Haden. Regional jazz vocalist Peggy-Lyn Haden and alto saxophonist Patrick Langham will be featured. Two additional small group jazz ensembles directed by Tom Coppola and Greg Alewine will also perform.

UNCA’s traditional holiday concert will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Holiday classics including "Greensleeves," "In the Bleak Midwinter," and Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus" will be featured. Choral groups will perform under the direction of Chuck Taft while instrumental groups will be directed by Jacqueline Mattingly.

For more information, call UNCA’s music department at 828/251-6432.

Media Contacts:

• Patrick Hill, UNCA Music Department Assistant, 828/251-6432
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant, 828/251-6526