Panola College fine arts students, along with community organizations, are combining to present a Christmas Gala at 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 29, at the Carthage Civic Center. Admission is set at $10 for adults, and $5 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased at the Panola College Business Office on Monday, November 28, or at the Civic Center door the evening of the concert.

 

Christmas in Carthage is a Panola College tradition. Dwaine Hubbard, instrumental music professor, and Sandra Bauer, vocal music professor, collaborated to revive the tradition for Christmas 2016.

 

“Christmas in Carthage was conceived by Larry Brumley, who led the Panola College Choral department for many years,” Bauer said. “It was originally a dinner served by members of the Pipers followed by a performance by the Pipers.”

 

Hubbard added that for many Carthage residents, Christmas in Carthage was the highlight of the Christmas season.

 

“We are excited to be able to present this program 30 years after the debut of the original Christmas in Carthage, and hope to continue the legacy of excellence that was begun by those who came before us,” Hubbard added.

 

The Panola College Chorale, Pipers, and Chamber Singers will join the Concert and Jazz Bands in performing holiday selections. Mike McGowan, retired instrumental music professor, has written a special arrangement of “The Wonderful World of Christmas,” which will be presented by the Chorale and Concert Band, and an arrangement for “We All Need a Little Christmas,” which will close the show.

 

Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President, will welcome guests. Dean Freddy Mason will present “One Solitary Life,” by Dr. James Allan Francis. The Panola College Rodeo Team, along with Coach Jeff Collins, will present “A Cowboy Night Before Christmas.”

 

Students from Rowe Performing Arts will dance to “Waltz of the Flowers.” Dancers include Annie Mahaffey, Addison Pope, Madison Smith, and Kipton Travis.

Panola College vocal students performing include Lily Allphin, Chris Barnes, Tarsheanna Bauer, Dakota Brown, Shelby Brown, Anne Buongiorne, Ahmadreion Casel, Hannah Cortinas, Victoria Cortinas, Kassidee Cox, Anna Crumbie, Alyia Doktor, Janel Dunn, Mitchell Emeahu, Brittany Fendall, Shelby Gibson, KGuillermo Gomez, Lorena Gonsalez, Tyesha High, Shannon James, Whiteney Kenani, Jenna King, Destiney Miller, Samantha Murphey, Ashley Newton, Augustine Oriakhi, Walker Pahlman, Melissa Palacios, Diana Perez, Kyana Reagan, Dillon Reynolds, Mia Sartor, Samuel Slone, James Smith, Rachel Strauss, Jamecia Taylor, Keairra Ware, Lauren Williams, Christina Willie, Cheyenne Woodard, Montana Woodard, and Austin Wright.

 

Band members include Esmeralda Acosta, Ana Asencio, Kayla Avila, Jaqui Gonzales, Savana Hanaway, Julie Hernandez, Alexandria Lavender, Mallory Sims, Samuel Slone, Cheyenne Woodard, Madison Youngblood, Zo’e Crayton, Lorena Gonzales, Marissa Jones, Kirsten Mayfield, Perla Perez, Chelsea Roquemore, Ryesha Walton, Arriauna Ware, Montana Woodard, Kenshena Woodard, Destiney Miller, Whitney Thomas, Kassi Orbaugh, Austin Wright, Leo Sanchez, Lady Flores, Tyler Helms, Bianca Ramirez, Dillon Reynolds, Scott Rogers, Tarsheanna Bauer, Dakota Brown, Robby Cox, Alexis Salas, Juan Morales, Urias Quetzala, Cole Donald, Daniel Quetzala, Vanessa Rodriguez, Lirio Rodriguez, Delaina Truitt, Raderrius Colbert, Tyreese Johnson, Isaiah Key, Jarid Barton, Ashton Bruce, Rachel Mukweyi, Trevor Romine, Taylor Schneckloth, Kenzie Yaws, and Branton Reeves.

 

“The main focus for the performance is to showcase all the wonderful musical ensembles at Panola College. The Christmas music will be light, enjoyable, and fun and will even include some audience sing-alongs,” Hubbard said.