A New Orleans Tradition: “Christmas at Loyola” Brings Music, Community and Holiday Spirit to Campus

The annual “Christmas at Loyola” celebration returns this year on Dec. 7 with a program of time-honored carols and holiday music as presented by 100 students in Loyola University’s acclaimed vocal and instrumental ensembles.

The event, which begins at 3 p.m. and will last an hour and 15 minutes, will take place at Holy Name of Jesus Church, at 6367 St. Charles Ave., on the Loyola campus in Uptown New Orleans. The New Orleans community is invited to this free concert to gather in the spirit of celebration and mark the beginning of the Christmas season.

“Christmas at Loyola is a highlight for me each year,” said Kate Duncan, director of the School of Music and Theatre Professions and the Conrad N. Hilton Chair in Music Industry Studies at Loyola. “The community is treated to our students’ and faculty's highest talents in an event that serves as an annual tradition for many New Orleans families as they gather to celebrate and immerse themselves in the sounds of the season.”

The festive concert will feature the Loyola Chorale, as well as the University’s Brass, Strings and Jazz ensembles, said Meg Hulley Frazier, Director of Choral Activities at Loyola and the Francisco M. Gonzalez, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Music. Student organist Simon Templet, a sophomore at Loyola, will accompany the chorale and ensembles.

In addition, Loyola President Xavier Cole and Sheryl Kennedy Haydel, dean of the College of Music and Media, will offer greetings at the start of the concert, which has taken place for more than 30 years and features traditional audience carol sing-alongs.

About the College of Music and Media

The College of Music and Media is comprised of two schools — the School of Music and Theatre Professions and the School of Communication and Design. Students who choose to study in the college prepare for careers in music, theatre, music industry, design, fine art, filmmaking, strategy, mass media and more.