Babbie Mason
Lee University’s School of Music will present its 28th annual “A Classic Christmas” on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. in the Conn Center.
“A Classic Christmas is one of our biggest events of the entire year,” said Dr. Jonathan Rodgers, assistant professor of choral music. “In fact, it is the largest attended music event that the school produces each year.”
“A Classic Christmas” will include a variety of sacred and secular Christmas music, ranging from Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” featuring student soloists, to music from the popular Christmas movies “The Polar Express” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
This year’s concert will feature Lee’s Choral Union, directed by Dr. Rodgers; Chorale, directed by Dr. William R. Green, Lee University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Robert Bernhardt; Brass Choir and Small Jazz Ensemble, both directed by Dr. Nathan Warner; and Lee Handbell Choir, directed by Dr. Laud Vaught.
Dove Award-winning, Grammy-nominated, American gospel singer and songwriter, Babbie Mason, will present a special set during the performance. Mason, an artist-in-residence at Lee, has led worship for national and international events hosted by Billy Graham, Charles Stanley, and Anne Graham Lotz, among others. Mason’s career extends into television as well as the host of her own show, “Babbie’s House.” In 2010, Mason was inducted into The Christian Music Hall of Fame.
“Many families in the area have been attending this event for years,” said Dr. Rodgers. “This presentation is not just for the normal concert-goer, but its intent is to reach a wide audience of people from different ages and backgrounds.”
Local high school choirs from Bradley Central High School and Cleveland High School will also help open and close this year’s program.
“For all the ways that our culture tries to divide us now, music has a way of bringing people together,” said Dr. Rodgers. “I’m excited to see how it brings people together in the spirit of the season.”
Tickets are free, but required, due to limited seating. Tickets will be available starting Nov. 6 at the Dixon Center box office, which will be open Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. They can also be reserved by calling 614-8343.
For more information about the event or the Lee University School of Music, call 614-8240, email music@leeuniversity.edu, or visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/music/.
Dr. Rodgers conducts A Classic Christmas 2015