With the holiday season approaching, the only thing more exciting than presents is holiday concerts -- starting with the Lighting of the Lawn today.
While turning on the thousands of lights presents a draw, ten a cappella groups and four other singing groups will be performing from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"As a showcase for much of the University's performing talent, Lighting of the Lawn is a great way to kick off the holiday season," said fourth-year College student and Lighting of the Lawn Committee Chair A-J Aronstein.
He predicted this Lighting of the Lawn concert will be the longest they've ever had. Due to the event's popularity, the committee was able to schedule more groups.
"Having the contrast of the smaller a cappella groups with the larger all-inclusive singing groups makes for an impressive display of the diversity of talent at the University," Aronstein said.
The Charlottesville University Symphony Orchestra (CUSO) and University Singers will present their second annual Family Holiday Concert in Old Cabell Hall this weekend. Due to its sold out performance last year, the concert will be held twice, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
"There will be a wide sampling of holiday music ranging from sacred pieces to secular favorites," University Singers conductor Michael Slon said.
"We'll also have a couple of special features," Slon said. "We're happy to have back again Travis Tucker ... a University alum who actually appeared on American Idol."
Slon also mentioned some audience participation the performance included last year.
"I think it's a great way for members of the community of all ages to get into the holiday spirit and to enjoy the centuries of music that have come to surround the holidays," he said.
Tickets vary in price, but students can attend for $11.
Also in Old Cabell, the Wind Ensemble will hold its Holiday Classics Concert Sunday at 7 p.m. Costing $5 for students, the performance will feature songs from the Nutcracker Suite, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Sleigh Ride."
Another holiday event is the annual Glee Club Christmas Concert. Listed as a must-see concert for University students before they graduate, the concert this year is being held both at Old Cabell and, for the first time, The Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall.
"We've been putting this on for 66 years," fourth-year student and Glee Club President Chris Tuggey said. "It is one of our biggest concerts of the year."
Performing mostly audience favorites, including the crowd-participating "12 Days of Christmas," the Christmas Concert also includes the Glee Club's traditional skit, which typically hooks current events into a traditional Christmas story.
"In the past, we've always sold out our concerts and have good turnouts," Tuggey said. "It's a grand old time! It's a good U.Va. tradition."
The concerts will be Friday at 8 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall with student tickets costing $5 and Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. in The Paramount Theater, with tickets costing $15.
Another traditional must-see is the Virginia Women's Chorus Annual Candlelight Concert. Held in the University Chapel, the concerts are Friday at 7 and 10 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The 30-year old group will perform a compilation of Britton's "A Ceremony of Carols," accompanied by a harpist.
"The 10 p.m. is always an annual favorite," first-year student and Publicity Chair Jenni Bechard said. "We use candles in the chapel, and it is always a sold out concert."
A new entry to the winter concert scene is a performance by The Hullabahoos, in their one-night-only holiday show at McLeod Hall Friday at 8 p.m.
"This is the first time we've ever done it," fourth-year student and Hullabahoo President Joe Cassara said. "It will be one-half Christmas songs done Hullabahoo style and one-half Hullabahoo songs."
Incorporating Hullabahoo classic style, like the use of percussion instruments, the concert will consist of several traditional carols, such as "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and the Chipmunk Christmas carol. Tickets for this one-night treat are $5 and will be available online or on the Lawn.
"If it goes well, we might make it our own tradition," Cassara said.
While the stress of looming exams may put a damper on your holiday spirit, these musical extravaganzas are a sure way to put any Grinch in the Hooville spirit.
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