Holiday Concerts at Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University will open the holiday season in early December with three festive programs, allowing ample time for music lovers to shop, gift wrap and party later in the month.

Presented by the University’s Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music, the events will take place on the Evanston campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive; Regenstein Recital Hall, 60 Arts Circle Drive; and Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, as noted.

Concert ticket prices are indicated in two ranges: the first for the general public and the second for full-time students with IDs. Northwestern faculty and staff with a valid WildCARD receive a 15 percent discount off the general public ticket price.

The Small Jazz Ensembles celebrate the season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Regenstein Recital Hall, with a concert of new arrangements of holiday favorites. Jazz studies students will perform their renditions of “Let it Snow,” “Silent Night,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Silver Bells” and other familiar songs of the season. Victor Goines, Christopher Madsen and Marlene Rosenberg will conduct. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for full-time students with valid IDs.

Alice Millar Chapel is the site of “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” at 10:40 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. A holiday tradition, this event combines readings and musical works for brass, strings, oboe, organ and percussion, including Advent and Christmas favorites as well as new Christmas carols by Bob Chilcott and Daniel Kallman. Stephen Alltop will conduct the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, Philharmonia and Millar Brass Ensemble. Faculty member and oboist Michael Henoch will solo. Admission is a freewill offering.

The 74th Annual Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, features the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra and University Chorale. Faculty member Donald Nally will direct the performance of sacred works, including Gerald Finzi’s “In Terra Pax,” the “Salve Regina” by Arvo Part, Mendelssohn’s “Verleih uns Frieden gnadiglich” and Sebastian Currier’s “Night Mass.” Tickets are $12 for the general public and $6 for full-time students with valid IDs.

For more information, call the Pick-Staiger Concert Office at (847) 491-5441. To order tickets, call (847) 467-4000. Go online for updates on parking and directions.