By Laurie D. Willis
Livingstone CollegeNews Service
Christmas is 25 days away, but if you want to get in the mood a little early stop by Livingstone College Thursday night for the schoolís annual Christmas concert featuring the band, choir and theater department.
The Christmas concert is at 7 p.m. Thursday in Varick Auditorium. It is free and open to the public.
The theme of this yearís event is ěThe True Meaning of Christmas.î
ěI know people tend to get caught up with buying gifts for their family and friends this time of the year, and thereís nothing wrong with that,î said Sidney C. Sessoms Jr., director of bands. ěBut itís important for people to remember what Christmas symbolizes. At Livingstone College, an institution founded by African Methodist Episcopal Zion ministers, an institution founded on faith, we deem it necessary to produce a Christmas concert that not only entertains people but also reminds them of the reason for the season.î
Because Livingstone College strives to work in partnership with other Salisbury institutions, Sessoms and Dr. DaVaughn L. Miller, concert choir director, have invited local clergy to participate in the concert.
The Rev. Dr. Grant Harrison, pastor of Soldiers Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Dr. Whayne Hougland, pastor of St. Lukeís Episcopal Church, and Rev. Juanita Allen, assistant pastor at First Calvary Baptist Church, will read scriptures to complement chosen musical selections. Also participating in the readings will be Clarence Jackson IV, president of the Livingstone College Student Government Association.
The choir will perform ěA Take 6 Christmas,î which features intricate harmonies and melodies designed to lift oneís soul and spirit.
The band will perform several selections, including ěChristmas Recollections,î a medley of Christmas songs that arenít sacred in nature but help to distinguish the frivolity of Christmas from its meaning. Included in the medley are snippets of ěI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,î ěRudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,î ěSanta Claus is Coming to Townî and ěHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.î
The concert band and concert choir will perform two separate Christmas songs before Livingstone theater students, under the direction of Michael D. Connor, perform a skit that fully explains the true meaning of Christmas.
ěWe truly hope people in Rowan, Cabarrus Mecklenburg, Iredell and Catawba counties will attend this yearís Christmas concert,î Miller said. ěOur students have worked diligently to ensure their performances reflect their hard work and, more importantly, what weíre trying to convey with this yearís production. Not only do we want people to remember that Christmas is a celebration of Christís birth, but we also hope this concert will give hope to people who need it.î
In keeping with a Livingstone tradition, there will be a tree-lighting ceremony in front of Dodge Hall immediately following the concert.