For the 23rd consecutive year, the University of Idaho Jazz Choir and K-12 students collaborate to present an annual holiday concert tonight at 8 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome.
The event will consist of not only the jazz choir, but will also feature choir members from across the region, ranging from elementary school to senior high school students.
“It’s different every year. The set-up will be different and from our standpoint it’s always unpredictable, but that’s one of the fun things. We’re not quite sure what’s going to happen until we get to that rehearsal,” said Dan Bukvich, jazz choir director.
Bukvich said not only will there be more than 700 musicians performing but a part of the show will consist of a very unique introduction.
“The (UI) president is going to help us. He will be reading ‘The Night Before Christmas’ while we accompany him,” Bukvich said.
The performance will consist of traditional carols as well as new compositions.
“It’s a really good thing because it involves a lot of different people from the community and it’s also free and open to the community. Everyone can come. You can bring your family and friends,” baritone jazz choir member, Ted Clements said.
Clements said they have been working on a few pieces Bukvich wrote for choirs in Africa and Australia, one an acapella piece and the other using traditional African rhythms.
“I usually write a new solo violin piece with orchestra for our violin professor and I have students that write a lot of short pieces that connect the whole concert together,” Bukvich said.
For some students, the performance will be far from the first time, but the last time some students perform at the concert.
“We’ve got kids who have been in it for 18 years, from the time they were little tykes all the way through graduating college,” Bukvich said.
There will also be an opportunity for donations of cash and non-perishable food items dedicated to the Sojourner’s Alliance.
“It’s a huge amount of musical forces and there’s always a surprise or two every year,” Clements said.
Bukvich said there will in fact be a surprise in the performance this year, and the audience will just have to wait to see what it is.
Aaron Wolfe can be reached at [email protected]