Celebrate the Season with “Holiday Joy” Concert at SCF

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) music ensembles will usher in the holiday season with a festive “Holiday Joy” concert highlighting the music of Hanukkah and Christmas at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at SCF’s Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. W.

The Concert Choir will present the Israeli folk song “Shalom Chaverim,” which translates as “Peace Friends, Until We Meet Again” and Michael Isaacson’s “A Chanukah Dreidel.” The Chamber Choir will perform three selections including David Willcocks’ arrangement of the traditional English carol “Tomorrow Shall be My
Dancing Day,” which invokes the image of Christ’s incarnation.

The SCF Guitar Ensemble will play the first movement, “Allegro,” of a concerto by early Baroque-era composer Arcangelo Corelli followed by folk-like, eclectic arrangements of classic carols. “The carols feature special techniques used exclusively by classical acoustic guitars,” said SCF Guitar Ensemble director
Rex Willis.

“Holiday Joy” will conclude with the SCF Bradenton Symphony Orchestra joining the choirs for Randol Bass’ “Gloria” and “Feast of Carols.” “Gloria” is a lyrical setting of the liturgical Latin text and “Feast of Carols” is a medley including well-known holiday favorites such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “The Holly and
the Ivy” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Ticket holders are invited to a reception and music discussion at 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Art Gallery adjacent to the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center lobby. Light refreshments will be served.

General admission tickets are $15, student and staff tickets are $5. For more information or to purchase tickets visit SCFtickets.com or call 941-752-5252.