Jacksonville – As the season begins to change and the holidays approach, MacMurray College has several wonderful fine arts events to put everyone in the spirit!

     The public is invited to attend the third student music recital of the year which is scheduled for Thursday, December 1. The program promises to warm your soul with piano, organ and vocal music from the 19th and 20th century and will begin at 5:00 p.m. in Annie Merner Chapel.

     Saturday, December 3, combines the musical and visual arts featuring the first student art exhibition in the College’s Applebee Gallery in the Putnam Center for the Arts. The art opening will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and will run through December 20. The gallery will be closed during the College’s Christmas break.

     Accompanying the art opening is a special student honors recital in the Thoresen Recital Hall at 5:30 p.m. of the William H. Springer Center for Music. Students are chosen based on their performances during the fall semester. The recital will include piano and voice repertoire from the 19th century.

     Entry to both the Putnam and Springer Centers is through the Bennington Lobby at the corner of Clay Avenue and State Street.

     The annual Christmas Celebration of Lessons and Carols will be presented at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, in Annie Merner Chapel, according to Terri Benz, director of choral activities.

     The MacMurray College Choir, conducted by Ms. Benz of the College music faculty, will perform along with the Community Children’s Christmas Choir. Music Prof. Jay Peterson will be the organist for the service.

     Community residents are invited to participate in the Christmas Celebration along with students, faculty, and staff of the College. Afterward, the congregation is invited to the third annual “MacMerry Christmas” in McClelland Dining Hall for appetizers, cookies and hot chocolate. The choirs and select soloists will perform popular Christmas music

     All these events are free and open to the public.

     Located in Jacksonville, Ill., MacMurray College is a private, four-year, liberal arts, coeducational college, founded in 1846, and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Its friendly, informal environment stresses academic excellence, personal attention, career experience, and well-rounded development of each individual.