Tusculum University Community Band to perform festive “Christmas in Appalachia” concert on campus

GREENEVILLE – Savor the Christmas spirit with some festive music from the Tusculum University Community Band at its annual holiday concert.

The Tusculum University Community Band performs during the Christmas concert in 2023.

The Tusculum University Community Band performs during the Christmas concert in 2023.

Chris Chambers conducts during a recent practice.

Chris Chambers conducts during a recent practice.

The band will present “Christmas in Appalachia” Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. on campus in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. The event will feature nine songs, one of which has four parts, to entertain the audience and build on the Christmas season excitement. Alan Corley, the City of Tusculum’s mayor, and Cal Doty, Greeneville’s mayor, will serve as emcees, repeating their roles from the Veterans Day concert.

“Our musicians are certainly in the Christmas spirit and welcome the opportunity to make this time of year even more joyful for the community,” said Chris Chambers, the band’s music director and conductor. “We are pleased to present a program that will blend some well-known favorites with other songs that will bring smiles to everyone.”

Here is the lineup of songs:

  • “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson
  • “Appalachian Carol” by Jerry Brubaker
  • “A European Christmas” by Anne McGinty
  • “Noël Français” by Will Rhoads
    • “The March of the Kings”
    • “Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella”
    • “Patapan”
    • “Angels We Have Heard on High”
  • “Christmas Variants” by Elliott Del Borgo
  • “Hallelujah” by Michael Brown
  • “O Come All Ye Faithful” by James Swearingen
  • “American Bell Carol” by Robert W. Smith
  • “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson
    Members of the Tusculum University Community Band play during a recent practice.

    Members of the Tusculum University Community Band play during a recent practice.

    Kathy Baker, left, and Greg Fay play during a recent Tusculum University Community Band practice.

    Kathy Baker, left, and Greg Fay play during a recent Tusculum University Community Band practice.

“We have a few staples in this concert to go along with others that are played more sparingly at Christmas concerts,” Chambers said. “All of the songs are excellent and provide a lot of energy to the concert. The community will thoroughly enjoy this performance, and we encourage everyone to join us as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.”

The concert is free, but donations are welcome to support students who are interested in studying music.

The remainder of the band’s season will include the pops concert in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre Tuesday, March 4, and the spring concert Tuesday, May 13, at Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Anyone who has questions about the upcoming concerts or would like to join the band can email Chambers at cchambers@tusculum.edu or Rouja Green, director of Tusculum’s Center for the Arts, at rgreen@tusuculum.edu.