Central College’s music program welcomes the public to a host of concerts and holiday music, including the 50th annual Christmas Candlelight Concerts.

A Cappella Choir, Chamber Singers, and College Community Orchestra will perform the special Candlelight Concerts December 5th-7th in Des Moines and on Central’s campus. Professor of music and M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music Mark Babcock and orchestra director Phil Peters will direct this winter classic. Alumni are welcome to join the choir for the final three closing selections at each concert. Rehearsals will take place at 5:30 p.m. on December 6th-7th. Those wanting to participate are asked to contact Babcock by Friday, November 29th. The first performance will begin at 7:30 pm on Thursday, December 5th at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. A pre-concert reception for alumni begins at 6:45 p.m. The two Christmas Candlelight Concerts in Pella will be at 7:30 pm on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th in Douwstra Auditorium. Tickets for adults are $15, students up to age 12 and senior citizens are $12, and admission is free to those who present a Central ID.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Flying Pans Steel Band will perform their Winter Serenade at 3 pm on Sunday, December 8th in Douwstra Auditorium. Lecturer of music Brad Lampe will conduct the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, while senior lecturer of music Stan Dahl will direct the Percussion Ensemble and Flying Pans Steel Band. Tickets will be $5 or a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots; admission is free with a Central ID.