Holiday Spectacular: a flurry of seasonal cheer

A dusting of snowflakes and a myriad of music are guaranteed to make Pellissippi State’s December 4 Holiday Spectacular one of Knoxville’s best entertainment offerings this season.

The 10th annual seasonal music event takes place in the Clayton Performing Arts Center, and the two free performances at 6 and 8 p.m. are sure to put the audience in the holiday spirit.

“This is our showcase, the premier event of the year, and we’re planning a presentation the audience is really going to enjoy,” said Bill Brewer, associate Music professor and concert director.

“The setting will be beautiful and wintry, with Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias and festive lights that change with the mood of each piece. And yes, I do guarantee we’ll have a little bit of snow.”

New this year are photographs of holiday traditions submitted by students, staff and faculty.

The 150-member cast of performers includes two student choral ensembles and a faculty-staff choir, a brass ensemble, a guitar ensemble, a small instrumental group with strings and woodwinds and a jazz band. A Pellissippi State dance troupe is icing on the holiday cake.

“The audience can expect very traditional holiday music such as ‘Carol of the Bells’ and ‘White Christmas,’” Brewer said, “but they will also hear a percussive vocal jazz arrangement of ‘We Three Kings.’”

Brewer says the community response to the Holiday Spectacular in the past few years has been phenomenal. Thanks to standing-room-only crowds, the show grew to two performances last year.

The concert is free, but the audience will have the opportunity to make a donation to the Pellissippi State Foundation to benefit the Music Scholarship fund.

For more information on the event, contact Bill Brewer at 694-6701.