OC Symphonic Band to hold virtual Christmas concert in early December 

The concert will include a musician from each state and from 50 countries.

September 23, 2020

The symphonic band at Oklahoma Christian University, under the leadership of Scott Filleman, will provide a virtual Christmas concert to be released in early December for enjoyment around the holiday season. 

In the past, OC has celebrated the Christmas season and showcased the various bands and choirs with the annual event, Cocoa and Carols. This year, due to COVID-19, the semester has been shortened, and therefore, Cocoa and Carols is cancelled for this year. 

Filleman, an assistant professor of music at OC, who directs the symphonic band, sweat band and steel drum band, has decided the symphonic band will still hold a Christmas concert, albeit virtual. 

“We can’t ever replace Cocoa and Carols, but not having a Christmas concert is unheard of in the band world,” he said. “We are going to record a full-blown Christmas concert with the symphonic band.”

OC, like most universities, has had to be careful with band practices during COVID-19. Many schools have ceased musical endeavors or only have limited ensembles. Despite so many students being left out from playing in their school’s concerts, Filleman thought that not only OC students, but university students across the nation should still be given the opportunity to perform. With that idea in mind, Filleman asked, ‘Why not invite them?’ From there, the ball started rolling, ultimately resulting in the virtual concert plan.

With the presence of COVID-19 across the world, Filleman wants to provide peace, tranquility and assurance to others to unify the nation through music. 

 “Let’s infuse some stability in our world right now,” Filleman said. “What better to infuse it with than Christ himself?”

William Owens, a well-known composer for band music, has been commissioned to write a brand new piece that is based around “Silent Night.” It is being written at a level that will be accessible for college, high school, middle school and retired musicians.

In addition to the inclusion of people of all ages, Filleman has a personal goal to have musicians from each of the 50 states and from 50 countries to virtually perform alongside the symphonic band. 

“The idea is to offer a Christmas concert involving the entire United States and 50 countries while providing Silent Night the world over regardless of language,”  Filleman said. “It’s about joining all these countries, ethnicities and generations together to do this concert.”

Filleman is still evaluating the final date, but he hopes to announce it soon. For more information and updates on the concert, visit the OC Music Program’s Facebook page.