SRU hosting Holiday Concert at Miller Theater, Dec. 4

Slippery Rock University’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble rehearses for its Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4, at the Miller Theater.

Nov. 23, 2021

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — 'Tis the season for holiday music, and Slippery Rock University is coming through with a new concert. SRU is hosting its Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4, at Miller Theater inside the Performing Arts Center, featuring SRU's Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

The event will be the first public performance of the entire SRU Symphonic Wind Ensemble in the newly renovated theater, a 753-seat facility that was part of a recent $33 million expansion and renovation project of SRU's Performing Arts Complex. The event is open to the public and admission is $5 will all proceeds benefiting SRU scholarships.

   HELMICK

"The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is one of our premier groups on campus and it's one of our largest instrumental ensembles," said Dan Bauer, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. "We're happy to have them show off the new facility and its sound quality. This is a glorious performance space."

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has not performed a holiday concert even in the years before the pandemic, which prevented large gatherings, but the group's director Jonathan Helmick, associate professor of music, said they jumped at the opportunity to perform one when Bauer and other University leaders put out the call to SRU music groups.

"Because holiday concerts are so much fun, this is a great opportunity for people to come together and spread cheer, and for our students to connect with one another and with the community at large," Helmick said.

Bauer said that there are plans for SRU to continue hosting a holiday concert each year with additional music groups and guest artists, but the Symphonic Wind Ensemble will be the lone headlining act this year.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble features nearly 50 members. They will perform traditional Christmas carols, plus pieces featuring a unique twist, such as a swing music version of "We Three Kings" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" titled "Three Wise Guys."

There will also be student solos including saxophonist Elizabeth Linton, a senior music therapy major from Cranberry Township, performing "The Christmas Song."

As part of SRU's COVID-19 mitigation protocols, audience members are asked to wear masks while inside Miller Theater.

For more information about music programs, groups and a schedule of other Music Department concerts, visit the department webpage.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 |  justin.zackal@sru.edu