Show to air on Nashville Public Television and nationwide on PBS in December
World-renowned musician Sheryl Crow joined nearly 700 student musicians, Belmont School of Music faculty and the Nashville Children’s Choir on Monday, December 4 for the taping of this year’s “Christmas at Belmont,” an annual holiday spectacular held at the Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The production of traditional carols, classical masterworks, world music and seasonal favorites, produced by Nashville Public Television (NPT), will air on NPT December 14 and 22 at 8 p.m. and Christmas Day at 3 and 11 p.m. National viewers can enjoy the holiday spectacular on PBS December 22 (check local listings for times). This is the 15th consecutive year “Christmas at Belmont” has been seen by a national audience on PBS.
The year’s edition of “Christmas at Belmont’ features the Belmont Chorale, University Orchestra, Musical Theatre Ensemble, Jazzmin and Jazz Band 1 along with many others. Performances will feature a variety of music including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Run, Run Rudolf,” “What Child is This?” “Russian Dance” from The Nutcracker and the beautiful “There Is a Star,” performed by Sheryl Crow.
A nine-time GRAMMY Award recipient, Crow is an American music icon. Her nine studio albums have sold 35 million copies worldwide—seven of them charted in the Top 10 and five were certified for Multi-Platinum sales. Crow has lofted 40 singles into the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Mainstream Top 40 and Hot Country Songs charts, with more No. 1 singles in the Triple A listings than any other female artist. Her new album and first for Warner Bros. Records, “Be Myself,” is out now. She is well known for her passionate support of multiple charities including City of Hope, Stand Up to Cancer, The World Food Program, Feeding America, Adopt a Classroom, the TJ Martell Foundation, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, MusiCares, the Special Olympics and many more.
Crow said, “I’m thrilled to appear as this year’s ‘Christmas at Belmont’ guest artist. It’s an honor to be asked to share the stage with hundreds of impressive student musicians and join in this beautiful Christmas tradition. I look forward to celebrating the holiday season with so many viewers across the country.”
“’Christmas at Belmont’ is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our world-class School of Music in front of a national audience,” said Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher. “I’ve been a huge fan of the music of Sheryl Crow for many years, and have become an even bigger fan as I have observed her commitment to helping others and giving back to the community.”
The performance and taping of “Christmas at Belmont” returns for the sixth time to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, one of the few venues in the world featuring natural lighting and state-of-the-art acoustics, including motorized acoustic drapes and an acoustical isolation joint that encircles the entire concert hall and prevents sound waves traveling into or out of the hall.
Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Stephen Eaves said, “We are honored to once again help Nashville and the nation celebrate Christmas. We’re so grateful that our continued partnership with NPT allows our talented faculty and students to sing along with families across the country. With our excellent guest artist and talented School of Music faculty students, we hope to inspire audiences to pause and embrace the joy and true spirit of this Christmas season.”
“NPT is excited to once again share one of Nashville’s unique holiday traditions with the entire nation on PBS,” said Kevin Crane, president and CEO of NPT. “The talent that Belmont’s School of Music brings to this production is amazing and there’s no better place to highlight these young performers and their dedication than the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. “Christmas at Belmont” is sure to be a highlight of NPT and PBS’ holiday programming”
“Christmas at Belmont” is underwritten by longstanding presenting sponsors The Alvin and Sally Beaman Foundation and new this year, Tyson Foods. Other sponsors include Barbara Massey Rogers, The Jack C. Massey Foundation and Marty and Betty Dickens.
About Belmont University
Ranked No. 5 in the Regional Universities South category and named as a “Most Innovative” university by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University consists of more than 8,000 students who come from every state and more than 36 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 90 areas of undergraduate study, more than 25 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual’s horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
About NPT
Nashville Public Television, Nashville’s PBS station, is available free and over-the-air to nearly 2.4 million people throughout the Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky viewing area. NPT’s three broadcast channels are NPT, the main channel; secondary channel NPT2; and NPT3, a 24/7 PBS Kids channel. NPT is also available to anyone in the world through its array of NPT digital services, including wnpt.org, YouTube channels and the PBS video app. NPT provides, through the power of traditional television and interactive digital communications, quality educational, cultural and civic experiences that address issues and concerns of the people of the Nashville region, and which thereby help improve the lives of those we serve. Join the conversation at facebook.com/nashvillepublictelevision and on Twitter @npt8.
