Village Arts Christmas concert kick-off
A special concert entitled “Christmas Melodyland” will celebrate Village Arts’ 50 th Anniversary and kick-off Rugby’s holiday events. The concert will feature popular Christmas music that program director Deb Jenkins said, “should be widely recognized by our audiences.” Christmas music is drawn from holiday movies, from traditional carols, hits on the radio as well as the “Nutcracker Suite.”
Concert selections will be performed by the Heartland Civic Orchestras and Choir in participation with the Heart Strings Youth Orchestra. The civic music program has grown from an ensemble of 7 string players in 1997 to about 80 choir members, full and string orchestra musicians who perform each season. Jenkins estimated that more than 200 different local musicians have performed in concerts over the past 20 years, and many have traveled up to 60 miles to participate. Conductors for this year’s concert are Tilman Hovland, symphony orchestra, Deb Jenkins, string orchestra and Daryl Wissink, choir. Ivana Petrovic debuts as junior conductor.
Jenkins explained, “I don’t think any of us thought, in the beginning, we would become such an established program in Rugby with participation by both our youth and adults. Rugby has always been known across the state as a ‘theatre and music town’ but has also been known for recent years as the smallest city with a symphony orchestra and comprehensive community music program.” Jenkins added, “Music draws our community together in a unique way. Everyone I have spoken to after a concert refer to a sort of warm glow they have experienced.”
The concert will be held on Sunday December 3 rd at 2 pm in Rugby High School’s Tilman Hovland Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.
– Village Arts