The Friends of Music Annual Holiday Gala will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Frank Center on the campus of Shepherd University. Always a sold-out favorite, this year’s Saturday performance is being followed by a reception at Cress Creek Country Club in Shepherdstown. The Holiday Gala concerts are being presented through the generosity of Bowles Rice. A special guest appearance by Santa Claus is expected at the Sunday performance.

Come enjoy classic sounds of the season featuring the Shepherd University Wind Symphony, Chamber Singers, Camerata Singers, Masterworks Chorale and a wonderful time for the whole family.

The mission of Friends of Music, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is to support the Shepherd University Department of Music and promote musical excellence throughout the region. The 2011-2012 season has featured the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of guest conductor Tara Simoncic, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Masterworks and Piffaro have played to a sold-out audience. Mini-series subscriptions for three or five concerts are now being offered.

The remaining concerts of the 2011 – 2012 season are:

Jan. 12, 2012 – Eaken Piano Trio, sponsored Jefferson Security Bank

Feb. 14, 2012 – Project

March 3, 2012 – Eastern Regional Jazz Festival

March 10, 2012 – Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, sponsored by Helen & Edward Moore

March 20, 2012 – The Kingfs Singers (bonus concert not included in the subscription)

April 22, 2012 – Masterworks

To purchase tickets to the Holiday Gala and Cress Creek reception, mini-series information and to learn more about the Friends of Music, please visit www.sufom.org, or call 304.876.5765.