ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its annual Festival of Christmas in Jones Performing Arts Center on Dec. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature the Christian music group Point of Grace as the final event ofOuachita’s 125th anniversary celebration. Tickets are on sale now for $20 each at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. Ouachita students may each purchase one ticket at the discounted price of $10 with their student IDs.
“The Festival of Christmas featuring our own Point of Grace graduates is a fitting end to what has been a rich celebration of Ouachita’s 125th anniversary year,” said Ian Cosh, vice president for community and international engagement and chairman of Ouachita’s 125th anniversary steering committee.
Since forming at Ouachita Baptist University 19 years ago, Point of Grace emerged as one of the biggest names in Christian music. The two-time Grammy nominees have sold more than 6.5 million albums and earned 24 consecutive No. 1 singles, including radio staples “Steady On,” “The Great Divide” and “Circle of Friends,” a feat unmatched by any other artist in any musical genre. Point of Grace has won 13 prestigious Dove Awards, including three in 2011: Recorded Song of the Year for “There Is Nothing Greater than Grace,” Country Album of the Year for “No Changin’ Us” and Christmas Album of the Year for “Home for the Holidays.”
“The presence of these alumni, who have done so well in the music world, will be a reminder that our mission as a university is to graduate students who are competent, compassionate and committed to Christ,” Cosh said.
The program will include performances by students in Ouachita’s vocal, instrumental and theatre programs as well as dance students. Ensembles performing include Concert Choir, Ouachita Sounds and the Festival of Christmas Band.
“We wanted to do something special for the 125th year of Ouachita, so the show will be a little bit of us and a little bit of Point of Grace,” said Dr. Gary Gerber,Division of Music chair.
The first half of the show will feature the “best of” audience favorites from the past, including “Jingle Bells” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Silent Night,” “Breath of Heaven,” “O Holy Night” and many more. Following this, Point of Grace will perform “Home for the Holidays,” followed by intermission.
After intermission, Point of Grace will perform a selection of sacred Christmas tunes with the OBU Concert Choir.
“The second half of the show will be special because our Concert Choir will be singing with Point of Grace,” Gerber said.
Emphasizing that this year’s Festival of Christmas will be a memorable performance, Gerber encouraged individuals to purchase their tickets before the shows are sold out.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.obu.edu/boxoffice or call the box office at (870) 245-5563 from 1-5 p.m. Weekdays.
