LOGAN – Here in Cache Valley, this year’s already crowded parade of holiday musical performances will include the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra offering Christmas from the Daines Concert Hall.
The AFCO event, with guest soloists Mathew and Savanna Shaw, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 14.
A matinee performance is also slated for Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
Other guests performers at the AFCO concert will include the Westminster Bell Choir
As always usual, the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra will be directed by its founder Dr. Craig Jessop.
Mathew Shaw and daughter Savanna are a Utah musical duo who began releasing music videos via social media in March of 2020 to bring joy to the hearts of fellow Utahns isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following up on their initial success, they released a 13-song album titled Picture This in October of that year, which included an original song that told the story of how they shot to fame.
On November 20, 2020, they released a seven-song extended play album entitled Merry Little Christmas.
Since then, the father-daughter duo have issued four successful albums, including two additional holiday collections (The Joy of Christmas and Christmas Together).
Many of the Shaws’ videos have gone viral and they have been interviewed on “Good Morning America,” “the Kelly Clarkson Show” and on NHK Television in Japan.
The Westminster Bell Choir is a handbell choir based here in Logan.
They encompass the more advanced Westminster Bell Choir and the more intermediate Belles of Westminster.
They are sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church in Cache Valley, though they are made up of individuals from a variety of religious backgrounds.
Jessop promises that Christmas from the Daines Concert Hall will be the most anticipated event of the holiday season.
“We are thrilled to delight audiences with an unforgettable musical celebration featuring popular and traditional holiday favorites, festive decorations and a few surprises that are sure to brighten the holiday season,” he added.
Founded in 2008, the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra has become a leading artistic voice in Northern Utah and has sought to enrich the lives it touches through performance, education and appreciation of choral art.
The auditioned chorus brings together more than 200 singers from a 90-mile radius around Logan, including talented singers from the community, Utah State University faculty and outstanding USU students.
The AFC orchestra is a 65-member professional ensemble composed of faculty from USU’s music department, professional musicians from the region and selected USU students.
Ticket for Christmas from the Daines Concert Hall can be purchased by going online to https://utahstateaggies.evenue.net/events/AFCO
The Newel and Jean Daines Concert Hall is located in the Chase Fine Arts Center on the USU campus.