A holiday showcase

Joyous melodies and friendly laughter spilled through every corner of the Roger Glass Center for the Arts on Dec. 3, where the glow of twinkling lights and the rustle of winter coats signaled one of the music program’s most beloved traditions: the Christmas Showcase. Students, faculty, families and neighbors stepped in from the chilly night and were immediately met with the warmth of community — and the unmistakable sound of the season.

The evening unfolded as a sampler of holiday sound and energy. In the lobby, small groups gathered for easy sing-alongs as people drifted in from the cold. Nearby, the Experimental Theater buzzed with the Dayton Jazz Ensemble’s upbeat riffs, while the gallery offered a quieter moment with the gentle pull of harp strings. In the main concert hall, layered orchestrations built anticipation for the Showcase’s later performances, giving the night a rhythm that invited guests to linger and explore.

To introduce the Symphonic Wind Ensemble’s performance, conductor Patrick Reynolds shared why these concerts remain one of his favorite moments of the year. “They’re filled with nostalgic songs and memories,” he said.

Junior Matthew Kolsti, second trombone in the Dayton Jazz Ensemble, felt that same pull. “Even some of the contemporary jazz arrangements still find creative ways to bring in the original melodies, and bring me to a cozy place of gratitude for my friends and family,” he said.

For junior Lily Kuebler, the night offered something even more personal. She had come to cheer on her friends, many of whom study fields far outside the arts but return to the stage simply because they can’t imagine not performing. 

“The Christmas spirit was definitely in the air throughout the night — a hope-filled motivator before finals week,” she said.

As the evening drew to a close, the doors of the Concert Hall opened once more for the Showcase’s signature tradition: a full-community Christmas sing-along. Performers from every ensemble crowded the stage and lined the aisles, as the audience joined together in song.

As instruments and voices rose together in familiar holiday favorites, the night became a reminder of music’s power to fill the UD community with joy and hope — not just at Christmas, but throughout the entire year.