Pfeiffer will usher in the holiday season with its highly anticipated annual Christmas concert featuring several of the university's ensembles. The Concert Choir, Handbell Choir, Wind Ensemble, and the newest musical addition, the Guitar Ensemble, will unite to present two performances of a very unique and festive concert at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6.

Both performances will be held in the Pfeiffer Chapel on the Misenheimer campus. The concerts are free and open the public.

Sponsored by the Department of Music and Fine Arts at Pfeiffer, this year's annual performance "GATATUMBA! A Christmas Concert" will reflect a ‘Christmas around the world' theme of sorts by celebrating traditional music from other cultures. "Gatatumba," which in Spanish means ‘submission,' ‘we come to you in a submissive way' or ‘in a state of humility,' is also the title of an Andalusian carol that will be performed by the Concert Choir.

"These annual holiday performances are always well-attended and have become a Pfeiffer tradition," said Joseph Judge, director of choral activities and assistant professor of music at Pfeiffer. "This year, we are excited to present a slightly unique and different approach to this annual concert."

The Wind Ensemble will present a major work from the band repertoire "Russian Christmas Music" by Alfred Reed and a wonderful new arrangement of the traditional Ukrainian song, "Carol of the Bells," will be performed by the Handbell Choir. Some holiday classics and familiar favorites, including "Silent Night," will be performed with guitars in the traditional manner. The audience will be encouraged to join the ensembles for Pfeiffer's annual and ever-popular carol sing-along and the singing of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."

For more information about the concert, contact Joseph Judge at (704) 463-3148 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

The Department of Music and Fine Arts at Pfeiffer nurtures creative thinking and supports innovation across all disciplines through an expansive liberal arts curriculum and undergraduate degree programs by integrating teaching, mentoring, service learning and in-depth training necessary to prepare students for achievement and participation in the evolving disciplinary creative and professional arts.

Established in 1885, Pfeiffer University is a comprehensive United Methodist-related university, with multiple campuses, including Misenheimer, Charlotte and the Triangle, committed to educational excellence, service and scholarship.

Media contact: Natasha A. Suber, (704) 463-3040 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it