EMU Centennial Christmas celebration offers concerts, ‘DoveTale’ play, and lessons and carols service

Thursday, Nov. 30: Jazz Ensemble Concert

Come hear the 16-member ensemble under the direction of Robert Curry play swing, up-tempo funk, two Benny Carter pieces and more at Lehman Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Read more.

Friday, Dec. 1: A Bach Festival Christmas

The Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival will celebrate the holidays with A Bach Festival Christmas on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. The free performance will take place in the newly completed concert hall in the Whitesel Music showroom. Donations will benefit the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.

This festive concert will feature Cuban tenor Dian Rene and James Madison University faculty pianist Paulo Steinberg in a mix of classical, holiday, and popular tunes. The Bach Festival String Quartet will also perform, featuring violinists David McCormick and Susan Black, violist Diane Phoenix-Neal, and cellist Lisa Wright.

Saturday, Dec. 2: Historic Hymn Sing

Co-sponsored by the EMU history department and the Valley Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center, this event from 4-5 p.m. in Martin Chapel at the seminary features the singing of classic Christmas hymns.

Sunday, Dec. 3: Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir Christmas Concert

SOLD OUT. The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir will present “On a Silent Night,” Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium. The Preparatory, Treble and Concert Choirs, led by artistic director Janet Hostetter and assistant director Joy Anderson will perform a variety of Christmas and winter songs, including Benjamin Britten’s “This Little Babe,” “Believe” from Polar Express and “Christmas Time is Here” by Vince Guaraldi. Special guest musicians include Anastasia Jellison on harp and Ed Gant on cello. The audience will be invited to sing Christmas carols interspersed throughout the program and accompanied by John Fast on the organ.

Tuesday, Dec. 5: Chamber Singers Concert

Join the Chamber Singers under the direction of Shannon Kiser from 7:30-9 p.m. in Martin Chapel.

Dec. 6: Advent Hymn Sing at Chapel

From 10-10:30 a.m., join EMU’s regular chapel service to worship featuring litanies, hymns and songs of Advent.

Sunday, Dec. 10: DoveTale theater production

From left: Mitchell Cole, Braydon Hoover and Lauren Zehr will perform in a special one-night showing of “DoveTale” at Eastern Mennonite University.

DoveTale returns to Lehman Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The drama — originally co-written, produced and performed by Lee E. Eshleman ’87, Ingrid DeSanctis ‘88 and Ted Swartz ’89, MACL ’92 —brings a humorous and poignant look into the hearts and minds of Joseph, Mary and the Angel Gabriel as they confront the gritty realities of the birth of Christ. Read more here.

The event honors the 20-year anniversary of its debut performance and the 10-year anniversary of loss of Eshleman, a writer and actor, designer in EMU’s marketing and communications department, and beloved community member.

Pay-what-you-will entry — with a suggested amount of $15 per adult — and a freewill offering during the show will benefit student scholarships through the University Fund. Each year EMU grants more than $14 million in aid for undergraduate students, many of whom are from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, including undocumented citizens.

Monday, Dec. 11: Lessons and Carols Service

Join EMU musical ensembles for a worship service from 7-8 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium. Read more here.