Evangel music, art and theatre departments present Christmas Concert to benefit Ozarks Food Harvest

Event date: December 7, 2007
Release date: November 7, 2007
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications, (417) 865-2815 ext. 7292

Springfield, Mo. — Evangel University’s Department of Music, along with featured artists from the art and theatre programs, will present Evangel’s annual Christmas Concert at 7:45 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7, in the chapel auditorium.

Admission to the concert is the donation of canned food or cash to benefit the Ozarks Food Harvest. The public is invited to attend.

KY3 news anchor Steve Grant and Stormteam meteorologist Brandon Beck, both Evangel alumni, will host the concert.

“Deep down, it’s timeless holiday music that infuses us all with the Christmas spirit,” Grant said. “Combining the incredible talents Evangel is known for, this will be a great evening for a great cause!”

“For this year’s concert, we’re trying something new,” said Dr. Michael Kolstad, new music department chair.

“Instead of the traditional two-hour program featuring all of the musical ensembles, the concert will be a one-act, 85-minute program featuring the Evangel University Chorale, Jazz Band and Orchestra. Each year, the Christmas concert will feature different ensembles,” Kolstad said.

Before and after the concert, a Christmas art display featuring works by Evangel art students and faculty will be open for viewing in the Barnett Fine Arts Gallery.

Small ensembles, including the bell choir, will be playing at different locations in the building.

“We’re excited to partner with the art and theatre departments as we present our annual gift to the community, and we’re excited with the changes that we’ve made this year,” said Kolstad. “I’m hoping for a full house that night.”

The Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Richard Honea, will perform five Christmas carols by American composer Alfred Burt.

Matthew Warner will direct the Jazz Band and Dr. Larry Dissmore will direct the Orchestra.

There will also be performances by a variety of small ensembles, including the Evangel University Student Brass Quintet, the Springfield Boys Choir, Marilyn Boston on Evangel’s Schantz pipe organ, and the Evangel University Madrigal Singers singing carols a cappella in Renaissance costumes.

Theatre professor David Smith will also perform “Shepherd’s Story,” a dramatic presentation on the birth of Christ as seen through the eyes of a shepherd.

More than five tons of food and $5,000 have been given to OFH in the years of collaboration between the Evangel University Music Department and Ozarks Food Harvest.

The Ozarks Food Harvest, which assists 323 hunger relief agencies across 29 Ozarks counties, distributes approximately four million pounds of food every year. Every dollar that is donated can feed seven hungry people.