DOWAGIAC — As a holiday gift to the community, Southwestern Michigan College will host two free concerts at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 in the theater of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

Those who attend can listen to performances from the symphonic band, jazz ensemble, select voices, concert choir, men’s ensemble, show choir and selected small ensembles.

Director of Choral Activities David Carew said audiences can also expect to hear a few songs from a former concert with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, which took place Dec. 9.

The concert choir will perform “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” by Gustav Holst, “Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind” by John Rutter, “What Sweeter Music Can We Bring” by John Rutter and “Gloria” by Randol Bass.

Select voices will present the traditional hymn setting “Once in Royal David’s City,” “Silver Bells” by Mack Huff and “Angels We Have Heard on High” arranged by David Cherwien.

The men’s ensemble will conclude the choral part of the program with Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria.”

Selections by Dr. Jonathan Korzun’s symphonic band will include the Andy Williams holiday hit “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”; “Hennepin County Dawn” by Samuel Hazo, depicting a snow-covered Minnesota morn; “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” from the Judy Garland film “Meet Me in St. Louis;” music from the Tim Burton film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas;” and Jose Feliciano’s hit “Feliz Navidad.”

The jazz ensemble performs “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” both arranged by Gordon Goodwin; “Christmastime is Here” from the TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas;” and “Hot Chocolate” from the holiday movie “The Polar Express.”

Joining the symphonic band and jazz ensemble will be guest vocalist Kacie Colleen Mercer.

A River Valley High School and SMC alumna, Mercer completed her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

While attending CCPA, she was featured in three different operas, “A Hand of Bridge” by Samuel Barber as Geraldine, “Captain Lovelock” by John Duke as Pernille and “The Medium” by Gian Carlo Menotti as Monica.

Mercer is a student of vocal coach Shannon McGinnis and voice teacher Lynn Eustis.

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter, community college, founded in 1964. The college averages in the top 10 percent nationally for student academic success based upon the National Community College Benchmark Project.

Southwestern Michigan College strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services to meet the needs of students, and to serve the community officials said. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

Learn more at swmich.edu or email mediarelations@swmich.edu.