More than 300 members from MSU’s Symphony Orchestra and Choirs bring the joy and spirit of the season to life in this holiday music tradition. This concert for the entire family includes a variety of holiday favorites, from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah, to Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and audience singalongs.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m., this festive event at the Cobb Great Hall of Wharton Center highlights a mix of musical excellence within the College of Music, offering inspired and uplifting choral music to celebrate the festive season in December. It is the first in the MSU Federal Credit Union Showcase Series, and it reflects the excitement felt by the choral community, which brings more than 250 singers from MSU’s Choral Union, State Singers, and University Chorale.

“Choral music provides a tremendous sense of unity and brings communities together, especially during the holiday season,” said Jonathan Reed, associate director of choral programs and conductor of MSU Choral Union. “Our choirs have been working really hard and are energized to share a terrific program that we feel will leave concertgoers inspired.”

Conductors Octavio Más-Arocas (MSU Orchestra) and Jonathan Reed and Sandra Snow (MSU Choirs) share the podium for this collaborative evening. Music selections for the evening include Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley, Waltz of the Flowers (from The Nutcracker) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Gloria by John Rutter, O Holy Night by Chad Rehmann, Radetzky March by Johann Strauss; Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, A Holly and Jolly Sing Along by James M. Stephenson, and select movements from Messiah by George Frideric Handel.

This season’s Showcase Series, which begins with this concert, is generously underwritten by the MSU Federal Credit Union. This concert is generously sponsored by Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., Thomas V. O’Halloran, Ph.D., Ann, John and Abby Lindley, and a donor family with the hope that it touches our spirit and brings peace and joy to all this season and in the coming year.

Reserved-seat tickets for this event are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $12 for students, plus a $3.50 Wharton facility fee. Tickets are available through Wharton Center box office only. Call 517-432-2000, (800) WHARTON, or visit whartoncenter.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door if available.

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Press materials

View or download the press release (PDF)
Contact Michael Sundermann, 517-353-2043, sunderm7@msu.edu 

MSU’s Symphony Orchestra and Choirs present a festive medley from The Nutcracker to Handel’s Messiah. Photo by Harley Seeley.

MSU’s Choral Union, State Singers, and University Chorale will bring more than 250 singers to the Cobb Great Hall stage at Wharton Center. Photo by Harley Seeley.

Presented by the MSU College of Music, “Holiday Cheer” delivers a captivating medley from the classics to audience singalongs. 

Conducted by Octavio Más-Arocas, more than 80 members of the MSU Symphony Orchestra will perform holiday classics, including music for an audience sing-along. Photo by Harley Seeley.