The Howard Payne University Jazz Ensemble will present a special concert Thursday evening, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. with the theme: “The Very Best of Times.” The concert, open to the public and free of charge, will take place in HPU’s Mims Auditorium.

The program will open with the 2011 big band composition “The Very Best of Times” by Hollywood composer Gordon Goodwin. Following will be a collection of Christmas Carols and Christmas songs in a big band setting including “Hot Chocolate,” “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Yo Tannenbaum!,” a selection from Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite” and Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

Special guests on the program will be HPU’s Heritage Singers under the direction of Dr. Monte Garrett. Heritage Singers will perform “I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me” accompanied by the Jazz Ensemble in addition to other vocal jazz selections.

For more information, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at (325) 649-8500 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Pictured above is HPU’s Jazz Ensemble.