Director’s Note

Forte! is singin’ and swingin’ and Christmas Bells are ringin’! We are delighted that you are here with us for our show, “Forte Wishes You a Joyful Swingin’ Christmas”! Get ready for a happy, musical ride through many decades of Christmas music, with a special note to the jazz “Swing” era. You’ll see some Jitterbuggin’ on stage as forte! brings back the Lindy Hop and other fun Swing dances. You’ll hear the irresistible swinging rhythms in the beloved Christmas tunes from 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s and beyond. Our opening number hails back to 1936! “What Will Santa Claus Say"? is from a rare Big Band recording, but caught our attention when it was just recently published for choirs.

Many people are fond of the vintage Christmas recordings by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, The Andrews Sisters, etc., so it was a natural choice to put together this concert featuring holiday Swing tunes, but variety is the spice of life, so we have sprinkled in songs from other decades and styles as well. Some you will recognize, some you will not. Enjoy! and Merry Christmas!

Program

• What Will Santa Claus Say?

• Here Come Santa Claus

• Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

• A Christmas to Remember

• At Christmas

• Sugar Cookie

• Hotta Chocolatta

• Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells

• White Christmas

• Holiday Road

• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

• Silent Night

• Because It’s Christmas

• Heaven Everywhere

• He Has Come For Us

Cast Members

Abby Grimmett, Hannah Harker, Ashton Johnson, Jessica Rowe, Kaitlyn Tippets, Katylin Brooks, Pyper Gill, Charlyn Johnson, Emily Ford, Miriam Gearheart, Abby Henry, Sandy Montgomery, Ashley Nelson, Alena Sintay, Karissa Wallace, Emma Baugh, Courtney Budge, Ashlyn Jeppson, Cole Brooks, Joshua Cahoon, Jonas Childers, Evan Naef, Benson Ostler, Kelton Brooks, Kade Harrison, Jayden Jeppson, Gabe Larson, Justin Naef