Holiday Concert to combine talents of students and faculty members

The phrase "the more the merrier" springs to Dr. John Broman's mind when he thinks about the upcoming University of North Georgia (UNG) Holiday Concert set for Dec. 1 in Gainesville, Georgia.

UNG's vocal and instrumental ensembles and several faculty members are joining forces to present the university's inaugural concert featuring the sounds of Christmas.

"I think it's fun when we all come together," said Broman, professor of music and director of choral activities at UNG. "Our students love singing with other groups."

The UNG Holiday Concert is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville.

The free concert will feature all of the choirs, including UNG Chorale from the Gainesville Campus and Le Belle Voci, UNG Singers and the Patriot Choir from the Dahlonega Campus. The school's brass ensemble and faculty members will step into the spotlight to showcase their talents, too.

University of North Georgia's brass ensemble will perform Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Holiday Concert at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville.

Broman explained each choir, ensemble and faculty member will perform on their own. Then all will perform together.

Will Gotmer, a part-time faculty member of music at UNG, said he is looking forward to hearing 125 students singing with the brass ensembles and faculty providing the accompaniment.

"They don't have a lot of opportunities to perform together," said Gotmer, director of the Chorale in Gainesville and director of music at Grace Episcopal Church, where he is organist. "It is a complete music department collaboration."

The concert's song selection will vary as much as its performers. Gotmer said it will be a mix of traditional holiday music and Christmas hymns.

Plus, Grace Episcopal has advantageous acoustics for singers and musicians alike.

"The location is good," Gotmer said, pointing out it is between the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses. "And it has the instruments we need to put together for a good concert."

Broman has high hopes for the concert, especially since the inaugural show was canceled last year. Snow descended on north Georgia Dec. 8, causing UNG to close and cancel the concert.

"We weren't able to reschedule the concert, because the semester was officially over the following week," Gotmer said.

This year, the concert was scheduled the Saturday before the final week of classes. And it falls the day before the annual Christmas on Green Street in Gainesville.

"We are hopeful to get audience members from UNG and the community to attend," Gotmer said. "And there will be hymns that everybody can sing."