Student and faculty performers close out the year with one of Boulder's favorite holiday traditions
CU Boulderâs Holiday Festival may be a long-standing tradition, but it still has a few new tricks up its sleeve.
With more than 30 years of history, theÌęÌęis a Boulder institution. Each December, thousands in the community pay a visit toÌęÌęto take in the merry atmosphere and the seasonal music performed by students and faculty.
The festival has its beloved traditionsâswags of greenery hung from the balcony, a rendition of the catchy Nigerian carol âBetelehemuâ and a âHallelujah Chorusâ singalong to cap it all offâbut change is always afoot.
One of this yearâs most exciting changes? An added matinee performance.
âDue to high demand for earlier performances, weâre offering two Saturday matinees this year,â says Artistic DirectorÌę. âWe hope this change affords our audiences the chance to bring more loved ones who donât want a late night out.â
A lot of beautiful new music awaits audiences, too, including more vocal and instrumental jazz, fresh renditions of âO Holy Night,â âI Saw Three Shipsâ and âWe Need A Little Christmas,â and a whole set devoted to celebrating Hanukkah.
âWeâll have a klezmer tune, a piece called âHebrew Melodyâ and more,â Gentry says. âWe have such a variety of faith traditions in our community, and we relish the opportunity to celebrate that.â
Though he looks forward to it all, Gentry says one of his favorite parts of the festival happens before each concert begins. About an hour before showtime, festive tunes played by composer and PhD student Kevin Padworski ring out from Mackyâs carillon. Then, about a half hour later, student carolers dressed in medieval costume entertain patrons in the foyer while upbeat vocal jazz warms up the crowd in the concert hall.Ìę
In Gentryâs opinion, the Holiday Festival is the absolute height of holly jolly: âThereâs nothing more beautiful than walking inside on a frosty December night with bells ringing and carolers singing around you.â