Hiding from Jack Frost, students, faculty and families took shelter in Akin Auditorium where the band members filled the air with festive music.
Matthew Luttrell, associate professor of music, officially started the concert slightly past 7 p.m. Addressing the crowd of around 300, Luttrell said junior high schools joined the Wind Ensemble on “White Christmas.”
“We love to do it [concerts],” Luttrell said. “The more we can, do the better. Performing is the life blood of musicians; performing is what we live for.”
The Wind Ensmble played well-known songs like “Let it Snow,” “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” “Silver Bells” and many more.
“It’s unnerving,” Bryan Pham, violinist and nursing sophomore said. “But when we play it brings joy to people and that helps me play.”
Luttrell said the tradition of Fantasy of Lights concert has been around for 15 to 20 years and has been changed over time to include more of the band. The concert gives the band a more professional look at what it would be like as a professional musician. Prosper Kaseke, saxophone player and music education senior, said this concert has a casual festive feel to it, but still has a professional feel in how they played.
“It’s an amazing experience. We get to express ourselves,” Kaseke said. “And how the crowd responded was just amazing.”
The concert ended with Luttrell inviting the crowd to join in on the last song which involved a clap that the audience and band would do together. The auditorium was filled with music, clapping, giggling and the small whispers of singers singing along.
“It’s a family concert,” Luttrell said. “I love the fact that people bring their children here.”
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