Since its first occurrence in the Administration Building with one University of Idaho choir and one children’s choir, the UI Jazz Choirs Holiday Concert has ballooned into a large-scale affair, said Dan Bukvich, jazz choir director.
The 22nd annual Jazz Choirs Holiday Concert begins at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Kibbie ASUI Activity Center.
The concert will feature UI’s Jazz I and Jazz II choirs, soloists and local schools such as St. Mary’s School, Moscow Elementary School and and Moscow High School.
“We have schools as far as Grangeville coming
to perform for the concert,” Bukvich said. “This entire event has shaped up to be a big deal in the community. It was an unforeseen tradition.”
Bukvich said more than 900 orchestra and choir members will perform Saturday. The
UI Jazz bands, flute choir and the Alpine Carillons hand-bell choir are among the instrumentalists slated to play.
Some faculty members will perform solo pieces during the show. James Reid, a professor of guitar and music history, will play a classical guitar piece. Instructor Ferenc Cseszko will perform a violin solo.
Ranger Adams, UI junior, will participate in the Holiday Concert for the second time.
“This event is really a blast,” Adams said. “Before joining Jazz I, I had never really been to a concert before. Just watching the entire thing come together was enough for me to get involved.”
The large amount of performers, Adams said, poses a few challenges to directors and students.
“We do not get to have any dress rehearsals. Most of the time, we are just hoping for the best” Adams said. “These difficulties come into effect when multiple choirs join together to sing traditional Christmas songs.”
“We have many people to thank,” Bukvich said. “The president’s office in particular supports the entire concert. We are grateful for everything they do for us.”
Admission to UI’s 22nd annual Jazz Choirs Holiday Concert is free. The president’s office will be collecting donations of canned food at the door.