TMCnet News
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival Hits a High Note by Heading to the Big Screen Live via SatelliteCENTENNIAL, Colo. --(Business Wire)-- As stockings are hung and credit cards pushed to their limits this year's holiday season, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a must-see - and hear - event to remind us all what the season is about. For most who cannot witness this legendary festival on the campus of St. Olaf College in Minnesota, music lovers can experience the two-hour service of hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections in select movie theatres across the country LIVE on Sunday, Dec. 2nd. Shown in its entirety in High Definition and 5.1 surround sound, the 96th annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide, is performed by 600 student musicians who make up five choirs, including the renowned St. Olaf Choir, and the St. Olaf Orchestra. One of America's longest running musical celebrations of the Holiday season, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival will be presented LIVE Sunday, Dec. 2nd at 1 p.m. PST / 4 p.m. EST by National CineMedia's FATHOM, in association with event specialists BY Experience, Inc. from the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. The festival will be presented live via satellite in nearly 200 participating AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA, Inc., Georgia Theatre Company, Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theatres across the country through National CineMedia's Digital Broadcast Network - the largest digital in-theatre high definition network in North America. Tickets for this special one-time only event are on sale now for $20.00 at presenting theatre box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of presenting theatre locations, please visit the website (theatres are subject to change). Participating choirs include the St. Olaf Choir, conducted by Anton Armstrong** (St. Olaf College class of 1978); the Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir, conducted by Christopher Aspaas (1995); the Cantorei conducted by John Ferguson; the Manitou Singers conducted by Sigrid Johnson; and the St. Olaf Orchestra, conducted by Steven Amundson. Each group will perform individually and as part of a mass ensemble. More than 12,000 students, alumni and friends of the college attend the four sold-out performances presented every December. The festival was first broadcast via radio in 1949 and televised in 1975. Founder of the St. Olaf College Music Department, F. Melius Christiansen, started the event in 1911. "We are delighted that technology makes it possible for St. Olaf College to share the Christmas Festival with audiences in movie theatres all across America this year," said St. Olaf College President David R. Anderson. "One of the oldest and most distinguished musical celebrations of Christmas in America, the Christmas Festival reflects not only the excellence of the music program at St. Olaf but also the college's deep and enduring commitment to its religious identity." "NCM FATHOM is proud to bring this amazing tradition to music fans who are unable to attend the event in Minnesota but can see it in their local movie theatre in High Definition and 5.1 surround sound," said Dan Diamond, vice president of National CineMedia's Fathom. "This special theatrical event is the perfect occasion to kick off the holidays - and witness why millions of people around the world have made this festival part of their holiday tradition." The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has been listed as one of five significant global holiday events in The New York Times International Datebook, and has been featured in such publications as TV Guide, The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. Twin Cities Public Television (TPT2) will produce the St. Olaf Christmas Festival. A one-hour highlights version of the Festival will debut on PBS stations nationally in mid December. **Editor Note: Anton Armstrong is available for telephone, radio and television interviews. |
