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November 23, 2009
Ring in the season with holiday music

By Jessica Moore

Before heading home for the holidays, be sure to attend one of Emory’s many on-campus music programs ranging from jazz to holiday favorites.

Gary Motley directs the Emory Big Band and Jazz Combos (Dec. 1, 8 p.m.) in a program that includes music by jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis.

The Emory University Symphony Orchestra directed by Richard Prior performs Mendelssohn’s “The Hebrides,” Shostakovich’s “Cello Concert No. 1, op. 107” with cellist Karen Freer and Mozart’s “Symphony No. 29 in A Major” (Dec. 3, 8 p.m.).

Emory’s traditional holiday celebration, the “Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols” (Dec. 4, 8 p.m.; Dec. 5, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Glenn Auditorium, ticketed) features the Emory University Chorus and Concert Choir directed by Eric Nelson with organist Timothy Albrecht, pianist Deborah Thoreson, and a brass ensemble in candlelit service of classic carols and readings.

Scott Stewart directs the Emory Wind Ensemble in a unique performance featuring Emory Dance Company members directed by George Staib (Dec. 6, 4 p.m.). The program includes “Liturgical Dances” by David Holsinger, “The Solitary Dancer” by Warren Benson and “The Sinister Minister” by Bela Fleck.

The Emory World Music Ensemble directed by Tong Soon Lee will perform works from the North Indian, South Indian, Javanese, Korean and Chinese musical traditions (Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Studio).

The Emory Guitar Ensemble featuring guest artist Mark Francis performs trios, duos and guitar solos written by Francis as well as music from the Renaissance to the 21st century (Dec. 8, 8 p.m., Performing Arts Studio).

The Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta presents violinist Kate Ransom and pianist William Ransom in a Noontime Series Concert, “Ransom Notes” (Dec. 11, 12 p.m., Carlos Museum). England’s Santa Claus gives out holiday treats after the Vega String Quartet performs in a Family Series Concert, “Father Christmas’ Favorite Chamber Music” (Dec. 13, 4 p.m., Carlos Museum).

James Flannery hosts the “Seventeenth Annual Atlanta Celtic Christmas Concert,” (Dec. 11-12, 8 p.m.; Dec. 13, 2:30 p.m., ticketed) featuring the rollicking high spirits and mystical beauty of Celtic and Appalachian music, dance, poetry, song and story.

Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony directed by Scott Stewart performs the world premiere of William Pitt’s “Turbo Scramjet” along with works by Corigliano, Grainger, Barber and Ives ( Dec. 14, 8 p.m.).

All concerts in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts unless otherwise noted. Tickets/information: 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu.