WSCC musical ensembles to perform holiday concerts.

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VICTORY TWP. — West Shore Community College’s musical ensembles will be featured in six holiday performances throughout the area starting Dec. 4.

According to Associate Professor Ted Malt, who leads the college’s music department, members of the musical ensembles travel from throughout western Michigan to rehearse every week during a semester.

“Members of these groups represent nearly 200 students and community members who take part in the music ensembles and courses at West Shore,” says Malt.

The Jazz Ensemble opens the concert series on Thurs., Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m., at Jamesport Brewing Company in Ludington. The ensemble will perform Big Band and small jazz combo music.

This is a free concert, but those wishing to reserve a table for dinner are encouraged to call the brewpub to make a reservation.

One week later, on Thurs., Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., the swinging sounds of the Jazz Band, led by Malt, will fill the Center Stage Theater with an energy packed show featuring a wide variety of jazz styles.

This holiday season, the 65-voice Concert Choir will perform three concerts. The first will be held on Mon., Dec. 1, at 6 p.m., at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville. On Sun., Dec. 14, at 2 p.m., the choir will perform in WSCC’s Center Stage Theater. The choir’s final stop will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hart, on Dec. 16, at 7 p.m.

The choir, under the direction of Becky Sopha and Assistant Director Lew Wilson, will feature music from Morten Lauridsen, Schubert, and Mel Torme.  The choir is accompanied on piano by Donna Clousing and Seth Kris.

The Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, under the direction of Malt, will perform a variety of musical selections from classical and holiday repertoire on Wed., Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m., at Hart Middle School Auditorium. The concert will feature popular wind band music as well as some holiday favorites.

Additionally, the WSCC Performing Arts Series and Ludington’s Lakeside Civic Players will offer a holiday production of “A Christmas Story,” Jean Shepherd’s classic holiday tale of the season.

The production will run Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 18-20, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the Ludington Center for the Arts Performance Hall.

Tickets for all of the performances may be purchased online at westshore.edu or by calling the Center Stage Theater Box Office at (231) 843-5507.