The Georgia State University School of Music and the Rialto Center for the Arts present the 14th annual Gala Holiday Concert on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts. This year’s performances will feature traditional holiday favorites as well as music with an international twist — celebrating the Rialto and School of Music’s international initiatives and involvement in the community.
Over 200 student and faculty musicians will perform as part of this university-wide celebration of the season, including members of the University Symphony Orchestra, Choruses and Jazz Band and faculty and student soloists. Conductors Michael Palmer, Gordon Vernick and Deanna Joseph will lead the musicians in a potpourri of works by Duke Ellington, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Schubert and others, including selections from Gian-Carlo Menotti’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, Handel’s Messiah and Randol Bass’ A Feast of Carols. Other selections will highlight the musical traditions of China and Greece—including Nick Demos and the Greek Islanders performing a traditional Greek holiday medley. W. Dwight Coleman serves as artistic director.
Back by popular demand, the concerts will again feature a special presentation of African dance and percussion by students from the Charles Drew R. Charter School. The School of Music has had a partnership with the Drew Charter School, located in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta, since 2006, thanks to a generous, multi-year grant from the Cousins Foundation, Inc. This year, the School of Music/ Drew Charter School partnership was awarded funding through the Race to the Top program to help create one of Georgia’s first STEAM (science, technology, engineering,arts and mathematics) models of education.
Tickets range from $22-$48 (Georgia State students, faculty and staff may receive 1/2 price tickets with ID) and are available in person at the Rialto Center Box Office, by calling 404-413-9TIX or online at www.rialtocenter.org. Free parking is provided for this event at the Equitable Building deck on Fairlie Street.