Christmas at Bluefield: The Show Must Go On
Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Savannah Thompson
For many students at Bluefield University, Christmas at Bluefield is a special time of year with festive music and celebrations, but will the new academic calendar have students saying bye-bye to Saint Nick?
Christmas at Bluefield is an annual event of music and celebration hosted by the Department of Music, held typically in December in Harman Chapel. The event features performances by the university’s instrumental and vocal ensembles, including the Chapel Worship Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Masterworks Chorale, and Variations Ensemble. But many are wondering if the event will happen this year since the fall semester ends before Thanksgiving.
“We will celebrate on December 5 after the semester ends,” said Dr. Jeremy Yowell, assistant professor of music and worship arts. “Christmas at Bluefield is too important a tradition to miss, especially because it brings together so many people from our campus and surrounding community.”
BU student John Thompson agreed, sharing his excitement and appreciation for the fact that Christmas at Bluefield will go on.
“The choice to have the event despite the shortened semester highlights how much the faculty and staff care about the community and student development in the music programs,” said Thompson, who is a member of multiple BU music groups. “The event is a wonderful celebration that brings the local communities together to remind us of what the Christmas season is about.”
Dr. Yowell provided additional details about the Christmas at Bluefield program.
“This year, our annual Christmas at Bluefield concert is entitled King Jesus: A Worship Experience,” Dr. Yowell said. “We will continue to involve our community through Masterworks Chorale, which includes community members, faculty, staff, alumni, and students.”
Other members of the Concert Band expressed their excitement to play in this year’s Christmas concert.
“It will bring out the Christmas spirit, definitely,” said Caleb Casey, a BU student and a member of the Concert Band. “All of the snow makes the campus look magical.”
Last fall, the university announced it would be revising the academic calendar with changes starting in the spring of 2026. One of the more notable changes is ending the fall semester before Thanksgiving instead of requiring students to return after Thanksgiving for a week and a half of classes and final exams. This particular change impacts performances by the Department of Music, typically scheduled for December each year – a change Dr. Yowell said has to be worked around in order to have a “perfect Christmas.”
“Of course, any change brings adjustments, which can be uncomfortable,” Dr. Yowell said. “However, we are trying to see this as a new opportunity. Coordinating a major event after the semester ends requires some additional planning, particularly when it comes to rehearsals and bringing students back on campus.”
This year audience interactivity will be encouraged, as congregational worship will be held during the Christmas event. All students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are encouraged to attend to show their support of the dedicated music students who are making sure this tradition continues.
“Students who come back or stay the extra time in order to preform are demonstrating how dedicated they are to growing the music programs and acting as servant leaders for our communities,” Thompson added.