Ring in the season with Carols and Cocoa, Dana Holiday Concert

Get in the holiday spirit as the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University presents its annual music extravaganza, Carols & Cocoa and the Dana Holiday Concert, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown.

“Almost 40 years ago, a new tradition began as the Dana School of Music hosted a modest sing-along in the Bliss Hall lobby,” said Randall Goldberg, Dana director. “It is now an outstanding musical evening consisting of the easygoing Carols and Cocoa segment, and the more formal Holiday Concert.”

The evening begins with Carols & Cocoa in Stambaugh’s Ballroom, featuring seasonal holiday favorites and culminating in a holiday sing-along. Dana students bring cookies to share, and complimentary cocoa will be available. Featured groups are the Dana Trombone Ensemble, the Dana Clarinet Ensemble, the Dana Early Music Ensemble, the Dana Flute Ensemble, University Chorus, Dana Chorale and guest group, the Stambaugh Chorus.

After a brief intermission, guests are invited upstairs to the Concert Hall, where the Dana Holiday Concert will be presented, featuring J.S. Bach's Magnificat and numerous holiday favorites.

Additional featured groups include the Dana Brass Quintet, YSU Jazz Ensemble, and Dana Symphony Orchestra. Two guest high school ensembles will perform as well: the Poland Seminary High School Women’s Chorus, directed by YSU alumnus Nick Olesko, (Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, 2001, and a Master’s in Conducting, 2007) and the Conneaut High School Show Choir, directed by YSU alumna Megan Mullins (Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, 2009). Organist Kathy Davison Miller will provide an organ postlude on Stambaugh’s E. M. Skinner pipe organ.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Stambaugh Auditorium Box Office in person, by phone at 330-259-0555 or online at www.stambaughauditorium.com. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets are $11 for adults, $6 for students from other schools and senior citizens, and free for children under 12 and YSU faculty, staff and students with a valid YSU ID.

YSU’s student internet radio station, Rookery Radio, will rebroadcast the concert 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and throughout the day on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.