By Lori Dugan/EAC
THATCHER — Eastern Arizona College’s Fine Arts Division invites the Gila Valley to three free holiday concerts filled with warmth, tradition, and the kind of musical magic families look forward to all year. This season is significant as EAC welcomes two new directors to cherished community traditions.
Fall Into Christmas — Nov. 21, 2025
EAC’s holiday celebrations begin Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Lee Little Theater, with the Community Jazz Band’s upbeat, “Fall Into Christmas,” directed by Dr. Gary Sorensen, EAC’s dean of students.
Sorensen has spent decades shaping the college’s student life and community music experiences, bringing together musicians of all ages for this lively seasonal kickoff. This year’s concert blends autumn warmth with holiday cheer, featuring guest vocalists Ethan McBride, Allie Frost, Jennifer Sorensen Whitlock, Matt Allen, and Tanya McNeill.
It’s a joyful, energetic start to the most magical time of year.
Festival of Carols — Dec. 2, 2025
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m., in the Fine Arts Auditorium, the community is invited to experience a fresh chapter in a beloved tradition: the first Festival of Carols led by Dr. Michael Shoaf, EAC’s new associate professor of music (voice).
Shoaf — a countertenor with an international performance career, a DMA from the University of Utah, and extensive opera and concert experience — brings a warm, heartfelt artistic vision to this year’s celebration, “Festival of Carols: Dreaming of a White Christmas.”
EAC’s vocal ensembles will fill the auditorium with nostalgic melodies, rich harmonies, and the familiar carols that have made this concert a long-standing favorite in the Gila Valley.
Handel’s Messiah — Dec. 7, 2025
For 89 years, Handel’s Messiah has been the heart of Eastern Arizona College’s holiday season — a gathering of students, alumni, faculty, and community members joined in a shared moment of reflection, joy, and triumph. This year, the tradition takes on special meaning as Marilee Decker, an EAC alumna and the college’s new associate professor of choral music education, conducts the work for the first time.
Decker, a respected choral director who previously led award-winning choirs at Mesa High School, brings a deep love of community music-making to the podium. Her direction promises a moving, radiant performance that honors the past while ushering in a new era for this treasured event.
The concert will take place on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium. From its tender opening to the triumphant “Hallelujah,” Messiah remains one of the Gila Valley’s most cherished and joyful holiday experiences.
About Eastern Arizona College
Founded in 1888, Eastern Arizona College is the oldest community college in Arizona. The college offers more than 90 degrees and certificates, including academic transfer pathways, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities. EAC serves students throughout Graham County and the surrounding region, providing affordable, accessible higher education in a supportive, community-centered environment.
About the EAC Fine Arts Program
EAC’s Fine Arts Division provides comprehensive programs in music, theatre, art, and performing arts education. The division offers opportunities for both students and community members to learn, perform, and create, enriching the cultural life of the Gila Valley through high-quality instruction and public performances.
