Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance and Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort present a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 7

Nov. 9, 2012 — A long-time holiday tradition will shine light on local arts education groups this December.

The Hilton Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony features two youth performance groups as well as a special visit from Santa, cookie decorating, refreshments, raffles and kids’ entertainment. The event takes place on Friday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Road.

 

Before the 6 p.m. tree lighting, The Arizona Youth Chamber Ensemble, a mixed choir of serious young acting singers, will perform at 4:15 p.m. and Ironwood High School Encore! Show Choir will sing at 5:15 p.m.

Arizona Youth Chamber Ensemble

Performing Christmas favorites including “What Child is This” and “Carol of the Bells,” Arizona Youth Chamber Ensemble provides an opportunity for music, drama and performance. Made up of students ages 12 to 20, this unique organization fills the need for a professional quality ensemble of young singers, giving them an opportunity to gain performance experience in solo and choral singing as well as staged works all in a positive and nurturing environment. One of the goals is to give students opportunity to perform music reflecting their own personal tastes, exhibiting a broad range of styles and languages.

The ensemble is an arts education program of Arts Express, a local arts non-profit organization providing arts education programs for Tucson youth including the Fine Arts Youth Academy and Broadway: Behind the Scenes. Through community events such as A Hero’s Salute on Memorial Day and Let Freedom Sing on July 4th, they raise scholarship money for youth that may not otherwise be able to participate in the arts.

Ironwood High School Encore! Show Choir

Encore! Show Choir is a part of the vocal music program of Ironwood Ridge High School. The group consists of students who have passed a rigorous vocal audition, choreography performance, sight-reading test and interview process to participate. They are skilled in vocal performance and choreography and part of the Touch of Class Concert Choir performing for many civic and cultural events. Recently they have performed at the Project Grad Car Show at Canyon Del Oro High School and Oro Valley State of the Town Address, where they performed the National Anthem.

 

Hilton El Conquistador Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

When: Friday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Where: Front lobby of Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Road

Cost: Free

Online: www.saaca.org

Phone: (520) 797-3959

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available

About the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliancealso promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for both the young and the old.

Organization History
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) grew out of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (GOVAC), an organization established in 1997 to provide artistic and cultural opportunities for residents of northwestTucson. GOVAC eventually became one of the largest arts organizations in the region. In 2009, owing to its success, the group expanded its mission to include creation of partnerships with business, governments, and communities throughoutSouthern Arizona that would encourage innovative, creative cultural expression in the arts for years to come.

For more information about programs and events produced by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, go to www.saaca.org.

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