ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s School of Art, Music and Performance and the Salvation Army invite the public to join its celebration of “Christmas with the Arts” on Thursday, December 4, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Reserved tickets are available for $10 (upper section) & $15 (premium seats) through the reservation website, https://www.jcjc.edu/tickets/
“Reserve your seats now because we do expect the show to be sold out,” said Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith. “We are working with the Salvation Army as a toy drop off site for this event. When purchasing tickets if you use the promotional code ‘TOYDRIVE’ all one word, you will receive 50 percent off your entire order. We encourage everyone to use this code and bring a new unwrapped toy to the event to donate and help make someone’s Christmas extra special.”
This year’s program will begin with a pre-show sing-along with caroling in the lobby when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Guests can sing with the Steinway Spirio Piano playing Christmas classics leading up to showtime. All of the Jones College music and performing groups will kick-off the holiday season with various traditional and modern selections celebrating the birth of Christ. The members of the Jones OnStage show choir, the JC Jazz band and Touch of Gold dancers will be performing before the Concert Choir, a new vocal ensemble, Nova Voci and an a cappella group, Selah take the stage.
“Also, we are turning the spotlight on two Touch of Gold members, Allie Robinson of Ellisville and Ellie Claire Napier of Ocean Springs, who will perform a lyrical style dance to a live performance by JC student vocalist, Daniel Baldwin of Magee, singing ‘Thankful’ by Josh Groban,” said Smith. “Then, for the first time at JC, we will have four Steinway grand pianos fill the stage with JC piano instructors, Dr. Theresa Sanchez and Dr. Victoria Johnson performing with JC student, Isaac Crouch of Ellisville and recent JC graduate, Titus Crouch who will perform a piano quartet, duets and solos.”
Additionally, Christmas with the Arts will feature a collaborative piece with 22 bell ringers consisting of members of Jones OnStage, joined by the percussion ensemble. JC guitar faculty, Dr. Michael Boyd and a couple of JC student flutists, along with JC graduate, Caidyn Crowder of Ellisville will round out the show before a special surprise finale.
“Even though a new toy is not required for admission to the Christmas performance at Jones College, the Salvation Army toy drive is an excellent opportunity for our students and community to give back at a time when it’s really critical,” said Smith.
Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games, and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in the area this Christmas. Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties.
For more information, call the Jones College School of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Jones College’s Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and X formerly Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to https://salvationarmyalm.org/