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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (October 7, 2002) – It’s the time of year when people usually begin making holiday plans, and for many in the Tri-Cities those annual plans have included attending Milligan College’s renowned Madrigal Dinners for many of the past 35 years.
College leaders announced in June, however, that Milligan is not able to host its annual Christmas Dinners this year due to the college’s short academic calendar between the school’s Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The college will instead present to the community a special “Milligan College Christmas” concert on Sunday, December 8.
The December 8 Christmas concert will feature Milligan’s Brass Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, Milligan Men, Milligan Singers, and the Elizabethton Bell Choir.
John Wakefield, choral director and associate professor of music, said he hopes the choral program will attract some of the same crowds and community members as the Christmas Dinners.
“This will be a special evening for the community,” said Wakefield. “We will present a festive, inspiring concert with the same quality as our Christmas Dinners.”
The Christmas Dinners have been part of Milligan’s annual heritage for 35 years and college leaders hope that future academic calendars will permit the “show to go on” in upcoming years.
“The Christmas dinners are usually held the two weekends between Thanksgiving holiday and our Christmas break,” said Richard Major, theatre director and chair of the area of performing, visual and communicative arts. “This year’s calendar presented us with some challenges. As we return from Thanksgiving break, we will be in the last week of classes and there is simply not sufficient time for preparation of the performances.”
The Milligan College Christmas concert will be held Sunday, December 8, at 8 p.m.in Seeger Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public. No reservations are required.