The 15^th River Campus holiday season invites patrons to enjoy four visual and performing arts events by Southeast’s departments of music, art and design, and The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance.

This year’s performances include:

• The Big Band Christmas Jukebox Dec. 3 and 4
• Holiday Art Sale Dec. 3 and 4
• Wind Symphony’s “A Christmas Spectacular” Holiday Concert Dec. 7
• Percussion Ensemble’s Family Holiday Concert Dec. 11 

Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampus.org. 

The Big Band Christmas Jukebox
7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4; $25
Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall

The Big Band Christmas Jukebox will feature students from Southeasts outstanding Jazz Studio band as well as vocalists from The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance and Department of Music.

Performances include holiday musical favorites such as “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” and “White Christmas,” as well as a traditional Chanukah song. There will also be an exciting Pentatonix medley of carols and a return visit by The River Campus Andrews Sisters, a close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie era.

Audiences can expect fun, celebration, and a light-hearted introduction to the holidays at this family friendly event. Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships for the students in the Department of Music and The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance. 

Holiday Art Sale
5-9:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4
Cultural Arts Center Atrium 

The first annual Department of Art and Design Holiday Sale will feature handmade items by Southeast faculty and students. Items will include tree ornaments, fine art, bound books, ceramics and wearables. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the River Campus expansion project. For more information, call (573) 651-2143.

“A Christmas Spectacular” Holiday Concert
7:30 p.m. Dec. 7; $15
Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall 

The Southeast Wind Symphony presents “A Christmas Spectacular” showcasing holiday music and a visit from Santa himself this year!

Small ensembles from the Wind Symphony and Marching Band will perform in the Cultural Arts Center Atrium at 7 p.m. These are students who love holiday music and want to share their love of playing and Christmas. 

The concert will feature Leroy Anderson’s classics “Sleigh Ride” and “A Christmas Festival” in addition to a few other standard Christmas tunes. The Wind Symphony will also perform “Wayfaring Stranger,” considered a folk tune popularized by Johnny Cash, but is a beautiful melody for the holiday season.

Special guest Dr. Kevin Tague, assistant professor of music at Southeast, will perform with the Wind Symphony as well as a solo of “La Virgen de la Macarena.”

The final piece of the evening will be “Russian Christmas Music” by Alfred Reed. The melodies come from Russian Orthodox hymns with some chant influence. It’s dark and haunting at times, gorgeous, and ends with a rousing Russian Festival Finale. It’s a piece that will cause one to reflect and rejoice.

Percussion Ensemble’s Family Holiday Concert
10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 11; Free Admission
Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall 

This fun entertainment concert has become a community favorite and family tradition. The Family Holiday Concert provides a professional quality concert that is geared towards families with young children. The music is energetic and upbeat. For many children, this will be their first time in a concert hall listening to live music. They can learn how to sit, observe, and clap in a concert setting.

 Featured musical selections include “Jolly Old St. Nick,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Carol of the Bells” and a unique version of the traditional “Jingle Bells.”

Video projections will provide a visual element and excitement to kid-favorites including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “The Polar Express.”

Featured guests will be the Southeast Steel Drum Band, Matt Gates on electric guitar and Jake White on piano. 

The concert will also feature a colorful rendition of “The Night Before Christmas” read by Dr. Timothy Schmidt, professor of vocal music. 

Audience members can purchase egg shakers to play during select pieces throughout the performance. Coloring will be available in the lobby prior to each performance and complimentary milk and cookies will be available after each performance.