Three December concerts at Oakton Brighten Holidays

Enjoy three nights of concerts by Oakton Community College's gifted student performers and exceptional music faculty. Performances are scheduled Dec. 4-6, at Oakton's Footlik Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines.

"Enjoy the upbeat sounds of jazz, relish in the guitar and string ensemble's tribute to music of hope and inspiration, or savor the melodic choral and vocal concert with songs about the mysterious and mystical world of night," says Chair of Performing Arts John Frisco, professor of speech and theater. "These shows will have a little something for everyone. All performers will add their exuberant energy to make this a week of memorable concerts."

Concerts include:

"Winter Dreams," 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. Oakton's Guitar and String Ensemble celebrate the college's 50th anniversary with a tribute to hope and aspiration. Enjoy dreamy waltzes by Dvorak, excerpts from Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 1 in G Minor" and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats" performed by the String Ensemble. Oakton's Guitar Ensemble, led by Tom Clippert, takes the audience back to 1969 – Oakton's inaugural year-with music by King Crimson, the Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as a medley of hits from that year.

"Sure on This Shining Night," 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. Enter into the mysterious world of night. Oakton voice instructor, Sara Torbeck, leads Oakton voice students in a mix of classical, musical theater and contemporary selections.

"Jazz Invasion," 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Oakton's Jazz Band, under the direction of Mark Olen, closes out the semester with an exhilarating evening of jazz, America's national treasure.

General admission tickets for each performance are $8 and $6 for students and seniors. Call 847-635-1900 or purchase tickets online at http://www.oakton.edu/tickets.