Southwestern Music Department Announces End-of-Term Concerts, Nov. 30

News release SWOCC.  The Music Department of Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to present three end-of-quarter concerts. On November 30, 2017, 7 p.m., the Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band along with selected soloists will perform an evening of Christmas music at Hales Center for the Performing Arts on the Southwestern Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. Their concert will include “O Holy Night”, “Let It Snow…”, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”, and “Silent Night” other arrangements of familiar holiday songs. Under the direction of Ida Jo Gates (vocal) and Cameron Jerde (instrumental), it promises to be an entertaining evening, sure to put all attendees in the holiday spirit. Sunday, December 3, 2017, the Community Choir will continue the tradition of sacred Christmas offerings at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 3:00 pm. Director David Aaker will lead the choir in favorites “Carol of the Bells”, “O Magnum Mysterium”, and The Messiah selections, to name a few. Soloists Heather Williams, Bill Kendrick, Peggy Maddron and Kerry Oxford will be featured. Additionally, the Gold Coast Barbershop Chorus will perform selections to be announced from the stage. The accompanist for the Community Choir is Lynne Kuhn. The Community Orchestra will round out the quarter’s concerts on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at the Hales Center at 7:00 pm. With conductor, Don Walden, the orchestra will perform selections from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, with additional repertoire by Albinoni and Rachmaninoff. Heather Williams will be a featured vocal soloist and Heidi Connolly and Walden providing a unique flute and trombone pairing on “Vocalise for Soprano and Strings” The Head of the Music Department, Ida Jo Gates, cordially invites everyone to attend these free concerts and asks that attendees bring a can of food for the community food bank. Ms. Gates sincerely thanks the North Bend/Coos Bay Rotary Club, the Coos County Cultural Coalition, and Coos Bay Public Library Foundation for their generous gifts and support during our current academic year. Individuals and businesses who wish to support the college’s music program and concerts can contribute at the door or to the Southwestern Community College Foundation on behalf of the music department.