Be Merry and Bright in Atlanta
The Atlanta Freedom Band’s 75-piece Concert Band returns to the stage with “Merry and Bright”, featuring festive music, holiday treats, and seasonal surprises. The program spans a wide range of music, including ancient medieval carols, festive songs for Chanukah, and selections from “The Nutcracker”. The band will try its hand at a popular YouTube phenomenon this time of year by performing several carols in minor keys, providing new sounds to classic carols. And, the holiday sing-a-long returns this year!
AFB’s Student Composer Residency Program continues with a new work from Connor Sullivan, a junior music major from Kennesaw State University. His new piece, composed especially for this concert, reflects a more lyric side of the composer, adding to AFB’s musical celebration of the holiday season.
Free parking is available in the church lot, the Atlanta Fulton Public Library branch, and neighboring streets. An accessible entry way is available through the main church office entrance just behind the sanctuary. A reception follows the concert.
The program includes:
- “A Medieval Christmas” by Philip Sparke
- “Dreidel Dance”, songs for Chanukah by Robert Thurston
- “Gloria” by Randol Alan Bass
- “Grown Up Christmas List” by David Foster and Linda Thompson-Jenner
- “Jingle Bells Fantasy” arranged by John Wasson
- “Minor Alterations No. 2” (Carols from the Dark Side) arranged by David Lovrien
- “My Dancing Day” arranged by Jerry Brubaker
- “Nativity Carol” by John Rutter
- “Shepherd’s Dance” from “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian Carlo Menotti
- Selections from “The Nutcracker” by Peter Tchaikovsky
- “We Wish You a Mambo Christmas” arranged by Eric Morales
- A new piece from our student composer this cycle, Connor Sullivan
- And a festive sing-a-long with several holiday favorites
“Merry and Bright” is supported in part by the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. AFB has received funding from the city for all of its 25th season performances. Funding for this program is also provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. The concert is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts.
When: Saturday, December 15th, at 8:00pm
Where: Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306
Tickets: Tickets for the concert are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors, and $5 for students.
For more information, see the Facebook event or the band’s website.
Holiday Lights, with Encantada, The Band of Enchantment
ADMISSION IS FREE! Encantada’s annual Holiday Lights Concert, with refreshments, holiday music, a sing-a-long, and more! There’s no ticket price, but donations and applause are always welcome. (Donations from this concert are shared with the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico).
When: Saturday, December 15th at 7:00pm
Where: Ashbury United Methodist Church, 10000 Candelaria NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
