DePauw School of Music’s 8th Holiday Gala set Dec. 1-2

The DePauw School of Music adds to the area’s seasonal celebrations with two performances of its Eighth Annual Holiday Gala at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. General admission is $10. Although tickets for seniors, youth and all students are free, tickets are needed as the Saturday evening concert can sell out. To obtain advance tickets online, visit depauw.edu/music.

Photo by Suzanne Hassler

While the holidays may come only once a year, the DePauw School of Music’s Annual Holiday Gala comes twice –– Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2.

This year’s festivities will be presented in two performances in the Green Center’s Kresge Auditorium. Audiences can choose the full-length version of the popular program at 7 p.m. Saturday, or attend a shorter, one-hour concert ideal for families with children at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Local partners from across the Greencastle community will again join the School of Music for this year-end celebration featuring holiday music from various traditions. Each show will include a wide array of musical ensembles performing holiday favorites, from DePauw faculty member and composer James Beckel’s “A Christmas Fanfare” and Pytor Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” to traditional songs like the soulful “What Child is This?” and joyful “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.”

University bands, choirs, jazz ensemble and orchestra, as well as a host of soloists and chamber groups, all will perform, with each concert concluding with a sing-a-long of seasonal classics.

The full-length performance on Saturday will be followed by a reception in the Green Center’s Great Hall, hosted courtesy of Bon Appétit and the School of Music, and at Sunday’s one-hour family concert, Santa will warmly welcome children with sweet treats.

In addition, several Greencastle restaurants will be offering dinner specials. To ensure that diners arrive at the concert before Saturday’s earlier-than-usual 7 p.m. curtain time, when making reservations be certain to mention that you are attending the Holiday Gala and bring your ticket to receive the special offers.

For reservations and additional details regarding holiday dining specials, contact these participating restaurants: Almost Home, Bon Appétit (Hoover Dining Hall), Bridges, Don Julio’s, Fluttering Duck, Monical’s Pizza, Myers’ Market, 2 West or Wasser Brewing Company.

General admission to the annual Holiday Gala is $10. Tickets for seniors, youth and all students are free. To purchase advance tickets online, visit depauw.edu/music.

The venue’s box office also is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and beginning 90 minutes prior to each performance.