Fine Arts Hosts Christmas Variety Show

The Fine Arts programs partnered to offer a Christmas Variety Show featuring students, alumni, and staff collaboratively telling the Christmas story and helping attendees reflect on the last year, which was presented on Friday, November 19^th in Greer Auditorium.  The show featured music performance groups including the Concert Choir and Jazz Band, directed by Dr. Brett Janssen, Lab Band, directed by Bp. Ryan Mackey, and a piano duet under the direction of Dr. Brett Janssen.  Intermingled with the musical numbers were short dramatic skits featuring alumni, faculty, and staff.

The evening kicked off with a two-piano English carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” as arranged by Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller, performed by Miyuju Suganuma and James Parry.  Following the two-piano performance were three pieces by the Jazz Band including “We Three Kings,” the ninth century Latin carol “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and French carol “O Holy Night.”

The Concert Choir’s songs were intermingled, but included “Deck the Halls in 7/8,” an acapella version of the English carol arranged by McKelvy, and the spiritual “Jesus, O What A Wonderful Child,” arranged by Fettke.  This spiritual featured CCCK’s vocal instructor Mr. Connor Gibson as the soloist.  Later in the program, the choir presented a jazzy version of “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” arranged by Curry.

The Lab Band’s songs were also interspersed throughout, beginning with “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” then a slightly jazzy version of “Away In A Manger,” and concluding with the English Carol set to the tune of Greensleeves, “What Child Is This.”

The dramatic skits throughout the evening included “A Season of Hope,” presented by Dianne Craig, “Zechariah” by theatre instructor Chris Gates, and “He Came To Get Messy,” presented by Sean Gates.  Campus Pastor Zach Fleming presented the skit “Joseph,” and CCCK alum Megan Wagner presented the skit “Mary.”

The evening concluded with Sean Gates, James Parry, Keragan Dix, and Jordan Summers leading the audience in singing “Silent Night.”  Following the event a reception followed in the seasonally decorated lobby of Greer.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.