UVMC’s Holiday Music Festival Dates Announced: December 7 to 22
For the seventh holiday season, Upper Valley Music Center joins the City of Lebanon to celebrate an annual tradition: ‘Tis the Season Lebanon’s Winter Celebration.
In 2017, the City of Lebanon reached out to Upper Valley Music Center, recently located to 8 South Park Street on the green, to help with caroling during the tree lighting ceremony. In 2023, more than 30 carolers met at UVMC for cocoa, then gathered in Colburn Park with a hundred others to sing around the tree.
“Music is such an important part of the holidays, and Upper Valley Music Center’s Holiday Music Festival aims to give everyone the opportunity to incorporate music into their holiday celebrations, whether performing, listening, or bringing voices together,” said Erin Jenkins Smith, Education Director. “We are grateful that the City of Lebanon partners with us to make caroling a part of their ‘Tis the Season downtown event.”
“UVMC has been a great community partner with Lebanon Recreation throughout the years. For that reason, along with the outstanding vocal programs, UVMC was invited to provide caroling,” said Meagan Henry, Recreation Coordinator with Lebanon Recreation, Arts & Parks. “Residents enjoy the day as it brings many different community members together with a sense of pride for our small city.”
Over the years, UVMC’s Holiday Music Festival has grown from caroling to include an open house, recitals, jam sessions, and Music Together holiday-themed classes for families. In 2020, the Holiday Music Festival was held online due to COVID and expanded to include Messiah Sing, UVMC’s annual production of Handel’s Messiah featuring UVMC faculty and voice students as well as community musicians and singers. This created a two-week festival encompassing all holiday-related programming, with many events free and open to the public.
2024 Holiday Music Festival Events include:
Student Holiday Recitals: Saturday, December 7, 9 am to 4:30 pm, First Congregational Church of Lebanon, free
Tis the Session: Saturday, December 7, 2 pm, First Congregational Church of Lebanon, free
‘Tis the Season Caroling: Saturday, December 7, 4:30 to 5:30 pm, Upper Valley Music Center and Colburn Park, free
- Philip Read Memorial Library, Plainfield, NH, December 4, 4 pm
- Kilton Library, West Lebanon, NH, December 6, 10:30 am
- UVMC, Lebanon, NH, December 7, 10 am and 11 am
- UVMC, Lebanon, NH, December 8, 3:30 pm
- December 7, 3 to 4:45 pm, Upper Valley Music Center, free
- December 16 -20, 11 am to 5 pm daily, Upper Valley Music Center, free
Messiah Sing: Sunday, December 22, 3 to 5:30 pm, First Congregational Church of Lebanon, adults, suggested $20; under 18 free
The 2024 Holiday Music Festival is sponsored by Lebanon Paint & Decorating, LaValley Building Supply, Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, and Coldwell Banker Lifestyles
About Upper Valley Music Center
Upper Valley Music Center (UVMC) is a community music school based in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Founded in 1995, UVMC initially focused on providing ensemble opportunities and chamber music, including two choruses, a community orchestra for adults, and string ensembles for young instrumentalists. Today the 501(c)3 non-profit organization provides music education activities annually to more than 1,900 students of all ages. Thirty years later, UVMC’s mission continues to provide the best in music education throughout the Upper Valley. Save the date for our 30th Birthday Bash: March 16 2025 at Lebanon Opera House.