Author: Molly Grace Watkins

MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile announces upcoming Symphonic Winds and Jazz Band concerts.

Enjoy an evening of blissful and timeless music as the UM Symphonic Winds perform their fall concert under the direction of composer, arranger and faculty member Steve Dunn. This concert will be held at the university’s College Woods Auditorium on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. 

Join the UM Jazz Band for “Stormy Weather,” a collection of iconic big band songs. Arrangements include: April in Paris, Autumn Leaves, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Over the Rainbow and more. This event will be held in Ram Hall as part of the university’s Homecoming 2022 festivities. The concert will be on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information visit umobile.edu/pas. For information on Homecoming, visit umobile.edu/homecoming.

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Molly Grace Watkins

Molly Grace Watkins is the Content Creator for the Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting. A published author, Molly Grace loves writing and being in front of the camera. She is an active member and volunteer at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. She also enjoys listening to music, going on long walks and driving her friends around in her blue MINI Cooper.

MOBILE, Ala. – Celebrating 20 years of music and tradition, the Alabama School of the Arts announces the University of Mobile’s annual Christmas Spectacular extravaganza Nov. 17-20.

This musical celebration of the Christmas season is seen each year in person by more than 10,000 people who travel to Mobile from across the U.S., and it is televised throughout the Christmas season to millions across the globe.

“The 20^th Anniversary of Christmas Spectacular will feature custom Christmas musical arrangements and bring back the most loved moments from our two decades of performances,” said Jenna Goodwin, director of production in the Alabama School of the Arts. “The variety of the musical elements, the talent represented in our student body, and the opportunity to produce an incredibly high-quality production makes Christmas Spectacular a highlight of our year.”

Christmas Spectacular will be presented at Cottage Hill Baptist Church on Nov. 17-19 at 7 p.m., Nov. 19 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. Tickets go on sale starting Oct. 1. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit umobile.edu/christmas. 

Christmas Spectacular is a musical event that tells the story of Christmas through performances by the Alabama School of the Arts. The popular event consists of over 17 ensembles, a 50-piece orchestra and the University Singers performing a combination of classical and contemporary Christmas music. 

Christmas Spectacular started as a bold idea by Dr. Roger Breland, dean emeritus of the Alabama School of the Arts and executive director of the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts, along with Dr. Al Miller, dean of the Alabama School of the Arts.

Breland, known in the Christian music industry for founding one of the first successful contemporary Christian music groups, TRUTH, had just joined the university and, with Miller, launched the Center for Performing Arts. They wanted to present a Christmas concert that would showcase the university’s talented students and faculty.

Twenty years ago, Breland stood in the 2,500-seat worship center of Dauphin Way Baptist Church, where Christmas Spectacular was first performed. He had roped off a seating area for about 500 people near the stage. He hoped enough people would come to fill it and hear what he had the privilege of hearing every day – amazing voices and music from some of the most talented students of this generation. The Christian college’s student vocalists and instrumentalists had practiced all semester and were ready for their first major concert – “Christmas Spectacular.” 

“To my amazement, more than 2,000 people showed up! I was just expecting parents to attend, but was astonished by the support we received from the community,” said Breland.

Since then, Christmas Spectacular has become the largest Christmas concert along the Alabama, Mississippi and Florida panhandle Gulf Coast region. In 2021, more than 10,000 people attended concerts during four nightly performances – including the dress rehearsal. 

“The success of Christmas Spectacular is simply not possible without the blessing of the Lord and the tenacity of teachers, staff and students who expect, practice and produce excellence” Miller added. 

This year, the 20th anniversary will be more “spectacular” than ever. The Alabama School of the Arts is proud to welcome back alumni alongside students to make this an unforgettable experience. 

“We are most excited to see several alumni return to perform some of the classics and most loved songs from the last two decades. Many of our current students chose to attend the University of Mobile because of Christmas Spectacular and they remember watching these former students perform and worship,” said Goodwin.

Breland said, “One of the joys of my journey at the University of Mobile has been Christmas Spectacular. We could not have imagined how it has grown in 20 years. I constantly thank God for all that He has blessed us with, and may we always seek to give back what we have as an offering to Him,” 

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Molly Grace Watkins

Molly Grace Watkins is the Content Creator for the Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting. A published author, Molly Grace loves writing and being in front of the camera. She is an active member and volunteer at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. She also enjoys listening to music, going on long walks and driving her friends around in her blue MINI Cooper.

MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile is pleased to announce its upcoming Performing Arts Series.

This 2022-2023 season holds a range of performances from opera and jazz to musical theater and more. The series opens with one of the most beloved musicals of all time, The Sound of Music. This production will be held at UM’s new College Woods Auditorium in the College Woods Center. General admission is $20 and $10 for students. 

For more information regarding the upcoming 2022-2023 season, including a full schedule of performances and where to purchase tickets, visit umobile.edu/pas.

Along with the Performing Arts Series, the university’s 6th annual Piano Festival includes a full slate of free recitals and workshops. For more information regarding the festival, click here.

The Alabama School of the Arts 2022-2023 season includes:

The Sound of Music – Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 7 p.m. and Oct. 2, 3 p.m. Based on the inspirational story and memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, ASOTA presents this timeless classic by Rodgers & Hammerstein. 

Fall Symphonic Winds Concert  – Oct. 17, 7 p.m. The Symphonic Winds presents an evening of blissful and timeless music at UM’s College Woods Auditorium.

Stormy Weather – Oct. 21, 7 p.m. Join the UM Jazz Band, rain or shine, as they present Stormy Weather, a collection of iconic big band songs in Ram Hall. 

Shakespeare’s Macbeth – Oct. 27 through Oct. 29, 7 p.m. and Oct. 30, 3 p.m. A tale of malice, matrimony and murder, Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most haunting works. Join us for this production at UM’s College Woods Auditorium.

Elite88 Goes to the Opera – Nov. 3, 7 p.m. The Elite88 Piano Ensemble will present iconic tunes from favorite operas in Moorer Auditorium, Thomas T. Martin Hall.

Christmas Spectacular VIP Experience – Nov. 15, 5:30 p.m. ASOTA invites students interested in studying music, or any other degree offered at the University of Mobile, to a private dress rehearsal VIP experience of Christmas Spectacular at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Register here for the VIP experience. 

Christmas Spectacular 20th Anniversary – Nov. 17 through Nov. 19, 7 p.m. and Nov. 19, 2 p.m. and Nov. 20, 4 p.m. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the University of Mobile’s Christmas Spectacular is an event created to spread holiday cheer through musical selections from classic carols to modern holiday favorites.

Love & Loss – Opera & Musical Theater Scenes Program – Jan. 26 through Jan. 27, 7 p.m.  Guests will enjoy a musical mosaic of scenes and songs centered on various interpretations of love and loss at UM’s College Woods Auditorium.

A Sentimental Journey: The Music of Duke Ellington – Feb. 14, 7 p.m. You and your valentine are invited to a special banquet in Ram Hall as the UM Jazz Band takes you on a sentimental journey with the music of Duke Ellington.

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 – Feb. 16 through Feb. 18, 7 p.m. and Feb. 19, 3 p.m. Join ASOTA for a side-splitting good time as we seek to unmask “Stage Door Slasher” in this musical comedy. This production will be presented at UM’s College Woods Auditorium. 

Spring Spectacular – March 24, 7 p.m. Featuring Alabama School of the Arts ensembles and choir, this evening of musical celebration is held on the Great Commission Lawn beneath the University of Mobile’s beautiful Eichold Oaks

Spring Musical Tease – March 30 through April 1, 7 p.m. and April 2, 3 p.m. The secret will be revealed on Dec. 20! Check back on that date to see what whimsical production the Alabama School of the Arts has in store!

Night of the Classical Masters – April 11, 7 p.m. Join the University Singers, Chorale, and Orchestra as they present an evening of classical works at First Baptist Church Fairhope. The evening will conclude with a special presentation of Saviour, A Modern Oratorio.

Elite88 Goes to the Symphony – April 13, 7 p.m. Elite88 Piano Ensemble presents their spring concert in Moorer Auditorium. They will showcase works from Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito – April 21, 7 p.m. and April 23, 3 p.m. This story tells of the trials of friendship and forgiveness triumphing over jealousy and violence. This opera will be performed in UM’s College Woods Auditorium.

Symphonic Winds Spring Concert – April 25, 7 p.m. The Alabama School of the Arts will close out the season with a concert of timeless music from the Symphonic Winds in UM’s College Woods Auditorium. 

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Molly Grace Watkins

Molly Grace Watkins is the Content Creator for the Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting. A published author, Molly Grace loves writing and being in front of the camera. She is an active member and volunteer at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. She also enjoys listening to music, going on long walks and driving her friends around in her blue MINI Cooper.

MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile will present a lecture recital titled An Alphabet of Soldiers: Jake Heggie’s “Another Sunrise” and “Farewell, Auschwitz.” The lecture will include the performance of Heggie’s works.

Drs. Lori Guy, Kathryn Hedlund and Patrick Jacobs, with Christopher Powell, will present this lecture recital on Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in Moorer Auditorium on the University of Mobile campus. This lecture is free and open to the public.

The lecture recital is in conjunction with a semester of study by UM master’s and doctoral students in the music history seminar, said Guy. Students learned about music and poetry that came from the concentration camps of World War II. They examined how music is used as resistance, response and propaganda.

In conjunction, faculty are presenting the story and poetry of a Polish Jew, Krystyna Zywulska, who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Hedlund, soprano, and Powell, pianist, will perform “Another Sunrise.” Hedlund, Guy, Jacobs and Powell will perform “Farewell, Auschwitz.” Both works are based on Żywulska’s autobiography, “I survived Auschwitz,” with music and words by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer.

For more information about upcoming events in the Alabama School of the Arts, contact the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts at University of Mobile at 251.442.2383 or visit the Performing Arts Series webpage at umobile.edu/pas.

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in over 90 areas of study. Founded in 1961, University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For more information about University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Molly Grace Watkins

Molly Grace Watkins is the Content Creator for the Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting. A published author, Molly Grace loves writing and being in front of the camera. She is an active member and volunteer at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. She also enjoys listening to music, going on long walks and driving her friends around in her blue MINI Cooper.