Town & Gown Holiday Concert set for Dec. 6 at Johnson Theatre

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University will celebrate the holiday season with the annual Town & Gown Holiday Concert at Johnson Theatre in the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building on the Murray State campus Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. The theatre is located near the intersection of Olive Boulevard and 15th Street. The concert is free and open to the community.

The concert will feature the 85-member Town & Gown Community Band, directed by Dr. Brent Johnson, director of university bands, and the 45-member Town & Gown Chorale, led by Dr. Bradley Almquist, director of choral activities and professor of music. The group will perform a mixture of traditional and modern holiday songs. The concert will also showcase the Murray Elementary School Chorus directed by music teacher April Sexton. 

"This holiday concert provides the community with a festive beginning to the Christmas season,” said Almquist.  “Featuring a children's chorus from Murray Elementary, as well as the Town and Gown Chorale and Band, simply brings everyone together in a celebration of all things good!"

Town and Gown encourages community members to visit downtown Murray for Main Street Merriment. The events, scheduled for Dec. 6-7, include ice skating in Murray’s Downtown Square starting at 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, the Holiday Farmers Market opening at 5 p.m. and the Christmas tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. After enjoying the downtown festivities, attendees are invited to make their way to campus for the 7 p.m. concert.

“The holiday concert is a truly special tradition that showcases the incredible talent, dedication, and community spirit of Murray, bringing people together to celebrate the season with music and joy,” said Murray State Town and Gown Coordinator Jennifer Robertson. “We are especially grateful to Dr. Brent Johnson and the Town & Gown Community Band, Dr. Brad Almquist and the Town & Gown Chorale, as well as April Sexton and the Murray Elementary School Chorus, for their contributions to this wonderful event. Special thanks also to Executive Director of Murray Main Street, Deana Wright, for her efforts in coordinating the Main Street Merriment festivities. We hope everyone will join us for this heartwarming event and enjoy the holiday cheer throughout the weekend.”