Christmas at Heritage Center to Celebrate the Spiritual Meaning of the Season

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Celebrate the spiritual meaning of the Christmas season with Christmas at Heritage Center "Glory to the Newborn King" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024, in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center. The concert is part of the 12th annual Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series.

Presented by the University of Dubuque, Christmas at Heritage Center will feature the Department of Fine and Performing Arts including the UD Concert Band, conducted by Nolan Hauta, DMA, director of concert bands; the UD Concert Choir, UD Chamber Singers, and UD Handbell Ensemble, directed by Kristen Eby, MM, head of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts and director of choral activities; and the UD String Ensemble, conducted by Tracey Rush, MM, adjunct professor of music. Members of the Dubuque Community String Ensemble, conducted by Rush, will also perform at Christmas at Heritage Center.

The ensembles will perform new and traditional Christmas favorites such as "Joy to the World," "With Every Winter's Breath," "The First Noel," "What Child is This?," and more. Charles Barland, DMA, professor of music and university organist, will play the John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ.

"We're very excited about Christmas at Heritage Center this year," Eby said. "Our ensembles have grown quite a bit, and we will be performing some dynamic new pieces as well as traditional Christmas favorites. The concert finale will include band, choir, orchestra, organ, and handbells in a rousing version of 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.'"

There will also be live narration written and spoken by Mary Emily Duba, PhD, chair of the Department of Theology and associate professor of theology.

Complimentary holiday refreshments and live music from the UD Jazz Band, conducted by Evan Glickman, DMA, director of jazz and athletic bands, will immediately follow the concert in CyberCafe and American Trust Lounge inside Heritage Center.

Tickets may be purchased now! Stop by the Farber Box Office, Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street; call 563.585.7469; or visit www.dbq.edu/HeritageCenter to purchase tickets. The box office is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 90 minutes prior to events.

Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets online for reduced ticket handling fees.

The Heritage Performing Arts Loyalty System (H-PALS) allows patrons to earn rewards with most ticket purchases. For every $200 spent on eligible events, patrons will receive one free ticket (valued up to $50) to their choice of eligible event. Reward points are redeemable for Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series events only. Visit www.dbq.edu/HeritageCenter for more details.

Christmas at Heritage Center will air on KDTH (AM 1370) at 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and 4:00 p.m. Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2024.

In case of inclement weather, Christmas at Heritage Center's snow date is 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024.