Three of Elmhurst College’s renowned performing ensembles will celebrate the season on Sunday, December 9, and Monday, December 10, with free concerts in historic Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel.

On December 9, the Elmhurst College Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a Winter Concert featuring Elmhurst sophomore Matthew Beck, winner of the 2012 Elmhurst Philharmonic Student Concerto Competition. An alto saxophonist, Beck is a music education major and a member of the College’s Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble.

Music faculty member and acclaimed tenor saxophonist Mark Colby also will be featured. Colby has performed and/or recorded with Gerry Mulligan, Jacob Pastorius, Frank Sinatra, Maynard Ferguson, Bob James, Charlie Haden, Ramsey Lewis and Mose Allison. He also has released seven albums under his own name, including his most recent, Yesterday’s Gardenias (RCI).

Under the direction of Joanne May, assistant professor of music, the concert will begin at 3:00 p.m. on the 9th.

The following evening, the College’s Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will perform a variety of holiday favorites during their Christmas Concert. Concert selections will include A Joyful Hallelujah, Fantasy on a Flemish Carol, Ding Dong Merrily on High and Feliz Navidad, and will end with a Christmas Sing Along.  The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Judith Grimes, director of concert band and professor of music education; the Symphonic Band is conducted by Ross Kellan, assistant professor of music and director of music education. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on the 10th.