Edison Community College Holiday Evening

Edison's "Holiday Evening"
features Dayton Philharmonic
on November 29

The Edison Foundation brings the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra to the Edison Community College main campus in Piqua for the fourth annual "Holiday Evening at Edison" on Thursday, November 29.

The concert begins at 8 PM in the Convocation Center. Hors d'oeuvres and wine are served at 7 PM in the atrium.

Patron tickets at $100 each and benefactor tickets at $50 each are available by phoning Edison's development office at 1-800-922-3722, ext. 297. An entire table of eight patrons is available for $500.

Reservations are limited; black tie is optional.

Neil Gittleman, in his seventh year as Music Director of the Dayton Philharmonic, led the orchestra when it performed at Edison's first "Holiday Evening" three years ago.

Gittleman said that this year's event will feature "God Bless America" adapted from the Irving Berlin Symphonic Portrait arrangement. It will also include a unique version of "White Christmas" that wasn't performed at Edison in 1998. In addition, a "Kiss Me, Kate" medley is on the program.

Joel Walker of Troy, a member of the Edison Foundation, serves as chairman of the "Holiday Evening."

Funds raised from the concert support the Edison Foundation scholarship program. Walker detailed that more than 150 Darke, Miami, and Shelby county men and women—- both full- and part-time Edison students who enrolled last August-- directly benefited from the 2000 "Holiday Evening" concert.

Edison President Dr. Kenneth A. Yowell pointed out that since 1998 the "Holiday Evening" fundraisers have generated close to $300,000 for student scholarships.

"Many of these students, without scholarships, could not have taken advantage of a college education," Yowell said. "Through the efforts of the Edison Foundation, event underwriters, and the many people who attend the program, Edison was able to make a big difference in the lives of many students."

Soprano vocalist Lee Merrill of Springfield, who performed at Edison when the Dayton Philharmonic was previously present on campus, returns again. Having earned acclaim as both an operatic and stage actress, Merrill has also been featured with the Houston, St. Louis, and Alabama symphony orchestras.

The "Holiday Evening at Edison" will span about two hours. Dessert and coffees are served following the concert.

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