UNCA to Hold December Concerts

UNC Asheville’s Music Department will wrap up its fall season with jazz, holiday music and a big band swing dance in December. Concerts are open to the public; admission is $5 at the door.

Under the direction of David Wilken, the UNCA Jazz Ensembles will present vocal and instrumental selections at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Lipinsky Auditorium. The program will feature a wide variety of big band music from the classics of the Count Basie Orchestra to original compositions by Wilken.

UNCA’s annual Holiday Concert, featuring holiday music performed by UNCA choral and instrumental ensembles, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Lipinsky Auditorium. The University Singers will perform under the direction of Chuck Taft and the instrumental groups will perform under the direction of Earl Sachais and Vance Reese. The program will feature "Rhapsody on Spanish Carols," "The Eighth Candle" prayer and dance for Hanukah, "Reisteter Symphonic Prelude on Adestes Fidelis" and the suite from Handel’s "Messiah." Three movements from a Concerto Grosso of Handel will begin the String Ensemble set, which features student soloists Molloy Glenn, Suzanne van Duym and Gardner Treneman. In addition, senior Angi West will sing a jazz arrangement of "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and Mozart’s "Alleluia" from Exsultate Jubilate, K. 165. The University Singers will perform a number of holiday selections, including "Light the Legend: A Song for Chanukah" and Spanish and Norwegian carols.

Don your dancing shoes for UNCA’s annual Big Band Swing Dance at 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in UNCA’s Justice Center. The dance will feature big band standards by the 18-piece UNCA Community Jazz Band. Beginner swing dance 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. No high heels, please.

For more information, call UNCA’s Music Department at 828/251-6432.

Media Contacts:

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