Santa Monica College presents a December filled with music, ranging from percussion ensemble recitals to the sounds of the season and more.
All concerts are held in The Broad Stage or The Edye at the SMC Performing Arts Center (Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street, Santa Monica), with two exceptions: the SMC Concert Chorale performance, which will be held in Barnum Hall at Santa Monica High School (601 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica); and the SMC Jazz Band performance, which will be held in Typhoon Restaurant at Santa Monica Airport (3221 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica).
Unless otherwise noted, call 310.434.3005 or 310.434.4323, or go to www.smc.edu/eventsinfo for tickets and information.
The concerts are:
• Monday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. in Typhoon Restaurant (Santa Monica Airport, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop S, Santa Monica): SMC Jazz Band. Under the baton of Keith Fiddmont, the ensemble performs jazz band arrangements from the masters, as well as contemporary works from aspiring composers and arrangers. Renowned guest artists will join the band to explore the music of Duke Ellington, Oliver Nelson, and others. (Tickets are $5 and available at door ONLY.)
• Thursday, Dec. 4 at 11:15 a.m. in The Edye: Terry Carter & The Riffrafters. Renowned guitarist/vocalist Terry Carter and the guitar students of SMC perform Classic Rock, Pop, Blues, and Reggae. Don’t miss this epic concert! (FREE. Complimentary tickets are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.)
• Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in The Broad Stage: SMC Opera Theatre Workshop. Artistic Director Janelle DeStefano leads the SMC Opera Theatre in a performance of selected highlights from a variety of operas, presented in fully staged scenes. (Tickets are $10.)
• Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. in The Edye: SMC Chamber Choir: A Little Night Music. Director William Belan leads the SMC Chamber Choir in a concert that draws from the many images and events of nighttime: stars, the moon, darkness, the Christmas miracle, Hanukkah, quietness, and more! (Tickets are $10.)
• Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Barnum Hall (Santa Monica High School, 601 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica): SMC Concert Chorale. Under the baton of Jeffe Huls, the ensemble explores American composers in a concert that features Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” choruses from Aaron Copland’s opera “The Tender Land,” African American spirituals, and American folk songs. (Tickets are $10.)
• Sunday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. in The Broad Stage: SMC Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Under the baton of Ian Brekke and backed by LA-area jazz musicians, SMC’s award-winning jazz vocal ensemble blends its voices in a program of jazz repertoire specifically arranged for four-part harmony. (Tickets are $10.)
• Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 11:15 a.m. in The Edye: Piano Ensemble Recital. Under the direction of Dr. Yulia Kozlova, SMC’s advanced piano students present a short program of four-hand piano and piano duo repertoire. Guaranteed to be more than twice as fun as solo piano performances! (FREE. Complimentary tickets are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.)
• Thursday, Dec. 11 at 11:15 a.m. in The Edye: SMC Percussion Ensemble Recital. Conductor Matthew Altmire leads the ensemble in a creative, unique performance of percussion music, covering a variety of styles. (FREE. Complimentary tickets are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.)
• Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in The Edye: Piano Ensemble Recital. Under the direction of Dr. Yulia Kozlova, SMC’s advanced piano students reveal the uniqueness and diversity of four-hand piano and piano duo repertoire. Guaranteed to be more than twice as fun as solo piano performances! (Tickets are $10.)
• Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 13, 14, 20, 21 at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. in The Broad Stage: “The Nutcracker” Ballet. The SMC Symphony partners with the Westside Ballet for its annual holiday extravaganza. Featuring falling snow and a Christmas tree that grows, the production brings to life the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Prince, and all the other wonderful characters in Tchaikovsky’s classic. Produced with support from Santa Monica College, the SMC Public Policy Institute, Associated Students of SMC, and the City of Santa Monica. (See westsideballet.com for ticket details.)
