Celebrate the season with DePauw’s Annual Holiday Gala

The DePauw School of Music adds to the area’s seasonal celebrations with two performances of its Annual Holiday Gala at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, which includes a visit from Santa. 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.

While the holidays may come only once a year, the DePauw University School of Music’s Annual Holiday Gala comes twice –– Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3.

This year’s festivities will be presented in two performances in Kresge Auditorium at DePauw University’s Green Center for the Performing Arts. Audiences can choose the evening presentation of the popular program at 7 p.m. Saturday, or the family concert ideal for children at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The theme of this year-end celebration, “Holiday Memories,” features music from various traditions with a wide array of musical ensembles performing annual favorites from selections from Allen Silvestri’s “Polar Express” to such All Time Holiday 100 tunes as “Carol of the Bells,” “Feliz Navidad” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas.”

DePauw music faculty member and composer Orcenith Smith also will conduct a newly completed version of “A Fanfare for Greencastle,” commissioned by the City of Greencastle and Greencastle Arts Council in celebration of the city’s 200 birthday.

The university bands, choirs and jazz ensemble, as well as orchestra and a host of soloists and chamber groups, will perform, including the Red Hot Chili Tappers, featured on “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” DePauw Theatre will contribute a scene from Little Women, “Our Finest Dreams,” along with a reading of “The Thirteenth Day of Christmas.” Each concert concludes with a sing-a-long of seasonal classics.

The Saturday evening performance will be followed by a reception in the Green Center’s Great Hall, hosted courtesy of Bon Appétit and the Creative School, and at Sunday’s concert, Santa will warmly welcome children with sweet treats and free photo ops.

If you plan to go, be sure to note Saturday’s earlier-than-usual 7 p.m. curtain time, and if enjoying dinner out before the concert mention that you are attending the Holiday Gala to help ensure sufficient time for parking and seating.

General admission to the Gala is $10; tickets for seniors, youth and all students are free. Advance tickets may be obtained online by visiting dpugreencenter.eventbrite.com. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the Green Center box office, beginning 60 minutes prior to the performance.