Lee’s Classic Christmas returns for 32nd year
All photos by Senior Designer Riley Latham
After last year’s virtual program, Lee University plans to return to a live, in-person Classic Christmas event on Dec. 5, featuring music ensembles from campus.
This year’s event will feature a few new elements under the direction of first-year faculty member Dr. Cameron Weatherford. Along with Director of Music Events Rachael Sutton, Weatherford has been planning the Classic Christmas program since September.
“Classic Christmas is kind of the kick-off to the December Christmas season, right after Thanksgiving. It’s exciting! It’s the first real Christmas event people can go to in Cleveland, and I think you’d be hard-pressed to find somebody that doesn’t want to go to a big Christmas concert at the beginning of the Christmas season,” Weatherford said.
Although it is his first year directing the event, Weatherford is aware of the Classic Christmas tradition of high-quality performances attracting members of the student body and the Cleveland community.
“Classic Christmas is traditionally excellent. It’s been excellent for all these years. People know what to expect when they get here — it’s going to be very high quality. They’re going to see a lot of kids, and they’re going to hear a lot of music,” said Weatherford. “This year, we’re featuring the Lee University Symphony Orchestra, Choral Union, Ladies of Lee and Lee Handbells. We’ll also have a small percussion ensemble collaborate with the ladies, and a small jazz ensemble will be playing some pre-show music under the direction of Professor Alan Wyatt.”
Dr. Brad Moffet, vice president for University Relations and professor of music education, said Classic Christmas has always had an impact on the Cleveland community.
“Classic Christmas has been the way Cleveland rings in the Christmas season for 32 years. It seems like the whole town shows up to get in the spirit of things, and the School of Music always brings just the right touch,” said Moffet. “We are really thankful for our sponsors, Bank of Cleveland, and their partnership with offering this program to our community.”
Sutton has been involved in planning Classic Christmas events since 2018 and has made changes this year to benefit the community outside of Lee.
“The big thing that I really want to get the word out about this year is that we’re not doing tickets,” said Sutton. “It’s a new development ... instead of having tickets, we are going to open the doors a little bit earlier this year. We’ll open the doors at 1:45 p.m. for the three o’clock show. It’s a first-come, first-served basis for seating, which has always been the case. We’re just not doing tickets this year.”
According to Sutton, the concert will be able to accommodate groups requiring special seating. To reserve an accessible location in the Conn Center, contact the Dixon Center Box Office.
After four years working on Classic Christmas programs, Sutton said Classic Christmas has a way of bringing students, families and Cleveland residents together during the holiday season.
“Classic Christmas has just been such a staple,” said Sutton. “I mean, 32 years is a legacy of Christmas events, and this has really been a hallmark of the community for so long. For students, I think it’s been really fun because we also typically involve a little bit more than just your normal school music ensembles, so students might have more friends that are involved. The students that are involved in the program invite their families since it’s such an exciting event. It’s a place for everybody to gather and to do something exciting to kick off the Christmas season.”
Classic Christmas will be held on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. Doors open at 1:45 p.m.
For more information, contact the Dixon Center Box Office at dixonboxoffice@leeuniversity.edu or call (413) 614-8343 for more information.
