Townsend School of Music holiday concert preview

As the semester winds down to a close, the Townsend School of Music will finish 2018 with several exciting events.

1. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols; Nov. 30 - Dec. 1, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

The 24th anniversary of this Mercer tradition will take place at the St. Joseph Catholic Church on Poplar Street. It will feature organist Jack Mitchener, the Mercer Singers, the Mercer Women’s Choir and the Mercer Brass Choir. This event is free to attend.

Mickey Brooks, a member of the Mercer Singers, said “Lessons and Carols” will be the culmination of the semester for the group.

“We’ve been preparing Christmas music since about September. We have some new music, along with some classics that we love to sing every year,” Brooks said. “Everyone’s families come out, and the church is completely packed.”

2. Mercer University Orchestra; Dec. 4, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Ward Stare will conduct the Mercer University Orchestra in Fickling Hall inside the McCorkle Music Building. This event is free to attend.

3. Fantastic Flutes; Dec. 6, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Kelly Via will conduct this celebration of the Mercer Flute Choir’s performance at the 2018 National Flute Association Convention. The event will take place in Fickling Hall in the McCorkle Music Building and is free to the public. 

4. G. F. Handel’s “Messiah”;  Dec. 7-8, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Stanley L. Roberts will conduct the Choral Society of Middle Georgia and the Mercer University Choir in a presentation of Handel’s “Messiah.” Performances will take place at the United Methodist Church on Mulberry Street. Tickets are $15.

5. Middle Georgia Youth Wind Ensemble; Dec. 9, 3-5 p.m.

The last performance on the calendar for Townsend’s winter concerts is a performance by the Middle Georgia Youth Wind Ensemble. The Ensemble provides an opportunity for high school students to experience more performances than a normal school day would typically provide. This performance is free to attend and will take place in Fickling Hall.

More information can be found at www.music.mercer.edu/calendar/.