Lee University's Symphonic Band, one of the oldest ensembles on campus, is recording a Christmas album for this holiday season.
The album will include Christmas carol classics, and the Evangelistic Singers will be collaborating with the 56 member band to record "Come Let Us Adore."
Mark Bailey, director of Symphonic Band for the past 27 years said, "We have performed [a] lot of great Christmas music over the years, and I have always wanted to do a Christmas recording."
Bailey also accredited his desire to record the album this year to the skill level of the 2015-2016 members.
"I really believe in this group. They play with musical precision, but they also play with what I call great heart," Bailey said.
The band recently finished up a fall tour, where they traveled to Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky over fall break. They perform roughly 30-35 church services per year, including campus events. Plans are in the making to attend a church in Maryland later in 2016.
"I think I'm most looking forward to the unity that doing this recording will bring to the band this year. Recording really puts the experience into perspective, because we'll never play that exact combination of songs again. Each CD is very personal to the band that recorded it," Rhythm Section Leader Chris Dehner said.
The band will begin recording Friday, and copies and will be available for purchase from Bailey's office, band members, their performance events and other prospective local outlets.
"Proclaiming Christ through instrumental music [is our goal]. ... We really strive to be in God's will as to where we play and perform," Bailey said.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the ministry of the band, including helping the band members go on their next cross-cultural missions trip.
