Published: Nov. 28, 2016 By

holiday festival stage

The College of Music's Holiday Festival is Dec. 2-4. Tickets are still available at CUPresents.org.

This December, the College of Music rings in the season with its beloved Holiday Festival, a decades-long Boulder tradition boasting joyful performances by 彩民宝典 musicians and beautiful holiday decorations inside historic Macky Auditorium.听Limited tickets remain to all four performances in the festival, which runs Dec. 2 to 4.

Inspiring sold-out audiences for more than 30 years, Boulder's favorite holiday concert features the College of Music orchestra, choirs, jazz and chamber ensembles and faculty soloists in an event that sparks the joy and warmth of the season.

Gregory Gentry, director of choral studies and artistic director of the Holiday Festival, says this year鈥檚 concerts feature old favorites and fun new surprises.

鈥淭he audience always asks us to bring back 鈥樷欌濃攁 stirring Nigerian carol鈥 鈥渁nd Leroy Anderson鈥檚 鈥楽leigh Ride鈥 and 鈥楥hristmas Festival Overture,鈥 and we鈥檒l definitely oblige,鈥 Gentry says.

For the first time ever, audiences will hear an arrangement of the traditional Hanukkah song 鈥淗al鈥檒uhu,鈥 Josh Groban鈥檚 anthem 鈥淭hankful,鈥 orchestral music from 鈥淗ome Alone鈥 and the vocal quartet 鈥,鈥 as heard in the classic film 鈥淲hite Christmas.鈥

And as always, the audience will be invited to make joyful noise with 彩民宝典鈥檚 choirs and instrumental ensembles by singing along to Handel鈥檚 famous Hallelujah Chorus at the evening鈥檚 end.

Gentry says this eclectic and mirthful mix of music is what keeps Boulderites coming back to the festival year after year.

鈥淧eople seem to love listening to the blend of new and familiar, and the decorations and special lighting in Macky are just icing on the cake,鈥 Gentry says.

Ultimately, though, Holiday Festival鈥檚 continuing success is thanks to CU鈥檚 dedicated student performers.

鈥淭he musical integrity of these concerts is what really attracts our audiences,鈥 Gentry says, 鈥渁nd this year will be no exception.鈥

For information about showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit the .