School choirs from all over the region will gather in the Kibbie Dome Friday to perform in the annual University of Idaho Jazz Choirs Holiday Concert.
Hosted by the Lionel Hampton School of Music, the concert will start at 7 p.m. and also feature UI”s jazz choirs.
Megan Gospe | Argonaut
University of Idaho music student Rebekah Jillson plans to participate in this year”s Jazz Choirs Holiday Concert.
“The concert is continuous music that moves at a fast pace, to be able to go through each school,” said Rebekah Jillson, a senior music education instrumental major.
The singers have a busy day of preparation Friday evening before the concert, Jillson said. She said they usually start rehearsing around 1 p.m. and will continue to rehearse until approximately 4:30 p.m.
“It is a really fun concert,” Jillson said. “It is pretty stressful for people behind the scenes and it is a long day, but it is worth it. We love putting the concert on and seeing everyone that attends.”
Jillson said the concert is a great community event, serving as a time for celebration and time with others. By having so many choirs involved, she said the concert brings the entire community together.
While the concert is holiday themed, the choirs will perform traditional songs as well. Jillson said UI Jazz Choir I will perform Psalm 81, a song about Hanukkah, and a medley of Christmas songs.
The students that are involved in the Jazz Choir 1 are not necessarily music majors, Jillson said. While the program is made up mostly of music majors, students from any major can be a part of the program, Jillson said.
Jillson, who started playing piano when she was five years old and eventually switched to drums, said this holiday concert will be her last as a performer.
“I am a senior and it is sad that the time has gone by so fast,” Jillson said.
Kristen Bertoloni can be reached at [email protected]