Matt Niess

Ring in the Holiday season with the Piedmont Pops and special guest singer Christal Rheams performing Holiday and Jazz favorites. A native of Raleigh, Christal has performed with the US Army Blues Jazz Band for over 22 years and has performed with Wayne Newton, Ricky Martin, and Trisha Yearwood. Most recently, Christal as a member of Voices of Service was a Top-5 finalist on America’s Got Talent. Matt Niess of the Capitol Bones will be the guest arranger and soloist on this fantastic evening at the Ramkat!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too. Come out to the Center for the Arts for timeless holiday favorites with the American Festival Pops Orchestra. This beloved tradition starts the season off on a festive “note” with treasured classics that warm the heart and soul! Enjoy works including the world premiere of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Mason Dewberry Family School of Music composition student Catherine Fields; “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” narrated by Dean and Hylton Center Executive Director, Rick Davis; “What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?,” sung by guest artist Darden Purcell; festive tunes by Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, The Fairfax Four Quartet, and so much more! Join us as we also welcome newly appointed Artistic Director and Conductor Peter Wilson, along with a special guest appearance by Conductor Emeritus Anthony Maiello, among other musical treats. You and yours—even the “bah humbug” Scrooges—are sure to leave aglow and flush with holiday spirit.

This performance is appropriate for all ages.

The Capitol Bones All-Brass Big Band has been performing A Stan Kenton Christmas for over 15 years performing the original works of Stan Kenton, Ralph Carmichael, Mark Taylor and they have added new arrangements to the repertoire. This is the only band that has mellophones in the place of saxophones just as the Kenton Band intended. This year we add a saxophone section and include Ellington's Nutcracker and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Shenandoah Conservatory is proud to serve as a site for an Essentially Ellington Regional High School Band Festival in Winchester, Virginia, on Thursday 4 May, 2023 . Director of Jazz Studies and Trombone Artist-in-Residence Matthew Niess will serve as director of this year’s event.

NJW will be in-person at Shenandoah Conservatory 10-15 July

NJW will be in-person at Shenandoah Conservatory 10-15 July

NJW will be in-person at Shenandoah Conservatory 10-15 July

NJW will be in-person at Shenandoah Conservatory 10-15 July

NJW will be in-person at Shenandoah Conservatory 10-15 July