Delta’s performing arts students are preparing for a variety of holiday entertainment for the community.
The Stockton Concert, Jazz and Delta College bands have concerts scheduled for the first 10 days of December.
Tickets for musical performances are $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free with advance tickets from the box office for children under 12.
At 7 p.m. on Dec. 1, the Stockton Concert Band will play a joint concert with the Lincoln High School Band in Atherton Auditorium, directed by Professor M.J. Wamhoff.
“We’re playing Christmas music and we’re doing a piece called Minor Alterations which is altered Christmas music to make it sound really dark and scary,” said Stephanie Ochoa, a music education major and member of the three Delta bands.
The Jazz Ensemble will perform big band and swing music on Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Tillie Lewis Theatre, under the direction of Professor Brian Kendrick.
Jazz fans can also enjoy the Delta Jazz Festival, featuring the Donny McCaslin Group and school bands from the western U.S., on Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $10.
On Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in Atherton, Wamhoff will direct the Delta College Band and the Tracy High School Band in a joint concert that will include a Christmas music sing-along.
Professor Bruce Southard will direct the Delta College Choirs in “Fiesta Barroca: Choral Music of the Mexican Baroque & California Missions,” on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Atherton.
The drama department’s offering for the season is the classic story of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” directed by new Associate Professor Ashlee Temple.
“She definitely expects the professionalism, which I appreciate,” said Rhonda Allen, who plays the role of Ma Bailey.
English major Christopher Smith is the star of the show as George Bailey, he also played Jesus Christ in last semester’s production of “Last Days of Judas Iscariot.”
“George had to be super-likeable because we’re with him for two hours, so Chris was perfect. I just knew the minute he walked in he was George,” said Temple.
See the show in Tillie on Dec. 10, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and children.