Elizabeth's Blog

Morningside University’s holiday program Christmas at Morningside returns a little differently after last year’s virtual performance.

Christmas at Morningside is the holiday program put on by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Ensembles such as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, The Morningside Choir, Camerata, Cantabile, the Symphonic Choir, and the Kucinski Symphonic Orchestra all come together for a 90-minute festive program. 

Alumni Taylor Van Vliet describes it as the “biggest show of the year for sure.”

After an at-home virtual viewing last year there have been some changes to this year’s operation. A new ticketing system has been put in place and an additional performance night has been added. 

Reactions to these changes are mixed and the system has left alumni confused.

2021 graduate Taylor Van Vliet is a former Symphonic Wind Ensemble member. Van Vliet graduated this past May and is anticipating her first Christmas at Morningside as an audience member. 

When reserving her tickets for the show she went through the process on her smartphone. Van Vliet explained how the process wasn’t clear and it felt much like a raffle. “I still don’t quite know where my seats are,” Van Vliet said. 

However, for senior Emily Sternagle, her experience with the new ticketing was different. Sternagle reserved her tickets on her laptop where she was able to pick her seats. A different process compared to the experience from a phone perspective.

Sternagle will be participating in this year’s performance as a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. She will be playing clarinet as the principal chair.

In regards to the ticket-reserving process, Sternagle said “I think it went smoothly. And I think it would be a good thing to use for the future. That way you don’t have the giant lines of people hanging out of Eppley Auditorium.”

Junior nursing student Sarah Severes, who is performing as a Symphonic Choir member in this year’s production, described her experience with the new system as “different”. It isn’t anything good nor bad but compared to her freshman year where seating was “first come, first serve” this is different.

All three individuals did think that the use of a ticketing system was a good idea for the future. Alumni Van Vliet has some concerns about the extra step discouraging students from attending. Van Vliet believes that it’s important for students to be able to go to events on their own campus. She thought that a system such as this should be used, but that some tickets should be set aside for students. 

As an audience member Van Vliet is a little concerned about it being hectic due to the lack of show last year. “Because the ticketing system is a little unclear. So I hope the ushers are good” Van Vliet said.

In past years, Friday night has been the only performance night for the extravagant show. However, due to the demand for seats, which was recognized through the ticketing system, the school has decided to add another show night. 

When it comes to what the extra show means for the community on campus Sternagle said “A lot of people A) either don’t know or B) are really confused about what that’s going to change.” However, in regards to the community surrounding campus, she described it as a good change that will allow for more people to get involved.

As a past participant in CAM, Van Vliet explained that Thursdays were a dress rehearsal and that the extra show night “will most likely result in an additional rehearsal needing to happen for the students and a bigger time commitment for the students.”

Van Vliet thought that an extra night to attend as a community member is nice, but she thought that a Saturday afternoon or evening would have a better turnout.

Severes expressed that the additional performance night is great considering the demand to see the show. She recalled her freshman year where audience members were waiting in line 45 minutes before the show in hopes of getting a good seat. 

Severes also attended CAM as a prospective senior and thought it was amazing. “I think everyone should come to Christmas at Morningside. It’s gonna be a great experience. It’s one of the many things I love about Morningside.”

This year’s performance will be on December 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 in Eppley Auditorium.