USD 253 Emporia’s Seasonal Celebration enters its ninth decade of existence this week.
The 90th annual event will take place Wednesday and Thursday inside White Auditorium at 7 pm both nights. Emporia High School Choral Director Sarah Bays joined KVOE’s Morning Show on Tuesday to preview the upcoming performances, noting that there will be a healthy mix of longtime favourites and some new musical selections in the program this year.
Also new this year to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the event is a new choir that will join Emporia High School and Emporia Middle School students, made up entirely of Emporia alumni from various generations, with 110 alumni signed up to take part.
Bays says of the 110 alumni who are returning to be a part of the choir, about 90 will be featured each night.
Bays says seeing the interest level in the alumni choir has been “Incredible.”
The alumni choir will be seated just above the EHS choirs and will be included in two of the selections in the program, including the Hallelujah Chorus and the final number of the evening.
Admission to the program is a $5 suggested donation and there will be no flash photography or recording permitted during the actual events. Photography and recording will be permitted during the event’s dress rehearsal scheduled for noon on Wednesday at the Auditorium.
Sign language interpreters will also be present both evenings, with reserved seating available for hearing-impaired guests. For more information or questions, contact the Mary Herbert Education Center at 620-341-2200.
