Music lovers given a chance to reach out

A Christmas concert will bring more than just laughs to the audience –– it will provide instruments for a local school music program.

On Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. the University of Alabama’s School of Music will perform the holiday concert Hilaritas. This concert will include The University of Alabama Jazz Ensemble, members of the Huxford Symphony Orchestra and University Singers. Hilaritas will contain both traditional and less popular holiday music.

“Hilaritas has something for every age,” said Lauren Gill, a senior music therapy major who will be in the concert.

Gill will not only be in the concert, but has also helped organize a fundraising raffle that will take place during the event.

Gill is a part of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women. She, and the rest of SAI, saw Hilaritas as a great event to host a raffle.

“Hilaritas is always packed out,” Gill said. “Why not get people who obviously like music to donate towards a music program? Plus, they have a chance to get some pretty neat things.”

People have a chance to win items signed by Nick Saban, Tyrone Prothro, Mark Gottfried and gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants, Gill said.

All the profits from this raffle will go to Flatwoods Elementary School’s music program.

“It’s really cool for the University community to reach out to the Northport community,” said Laura Anderson, a UA student and the music teacher at Flatwoods.

The money will go to buy a set of standardized curriculum books for all grades that will give the music education program more structure and standards, Anderson said.

“There is a great need for these books because students respond to music education so much,” Anderson said. “We can actually start educating instead of just entertaining the students.”

This school has parents that are involved, Anderson said, but they are in the middle to lower class and don’t have the money to put towards the music program.

“It’s an opportunity for music lovers to give for future musicians,” Anderson said.

Raffle tickets will be sold before the performance on Dec. 5 in the lobby of the Moody Music Building. The tickets are $2. The winners of these items will be announced after the concert.

Hilaritas will be in Moody in the Concert Hall under the direction of Tom Wolfe. Student tickets are $7, and tickets for the general public are $12. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

by Lauren Heartsill