Local students currently attending Belmont University will be among more than 600 student musicians and vocalists to perform in the beloved annual concert tradition, "Christmas at Belmont: Live from Nashville."
Beginning Wednesday at 8 p.m., the event will stream to a global audience on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. This year marks the first time the event has been available on a global streaming platform.
"It's not just a stage of choral orchestral people singing Christmas song after Christmas song," explained Director of Choral Activities Dr. Jeffery Ames. "We could have a poignant piece by a loft choir followed by pop ensemble singing the latest Christmas chart, then percussion ensemble, country, bluegrass -- and then the orchestra shows their skills."
The 90-minute performance will feature more than 600 student musicians and vocalists. Filmed live in front of an audience at the University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, more than 15 student choirs and ensembles will perform including the Belmont Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, Southbound (country) and Voxology (Gospel, R&B), among many others.
This year's performance features special guest appearances by acclaimed Belmont alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry and Dwan Hill. Student ensembles will gain exposure by sharing the stage with these rising star alumni and interacting with them in the wings and for practices.
Ashley Cooke, a 2019 corporate communications graduate and a rising country music star, recently celebrated her first No. 1 song and earned the Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Awards for her song, "your place."
Cody Fry, 2012 commercial music alumnus has garnered him widespread acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for his orchestral version of "Eleanor Rigby."
Multiple Grammy and Dove award winner Dwan Hill brings his extensive musical experience to the performance featuring The Choir Room, a nonprofit he founded. Hill, a 2008 music education graduate and 2013 Master of Music graduate, now serves as an adjunct professor in the University's songwriting program.