Fun City, NPC host Holiday in the Park

National Park College and the Fun City Chorus will host Holiday in the Park at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Horner Hall at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Jason Hudnell, dean of enrollment for the college, will serve as emcee for the event.

"We are always excited about this event for the community," said Roger Fox, chair of communications and arts for the college. "It is a pleasure for National Park College to host."

Music for the performance will be a mix of traditional and modern holiday music, including "Canon for Christmas," "Sweet Singing in the Choir," "Silent Night," and "Carol of the Bells."

The nine groups set to perform are the NPC Singers, directed by Ferris Allen; Fountain Lake Cobra Chorus and Fountain Lake Freshman Singers, both directed by Mary Sargo Schapiro; Jessieville High School Treble Makers and Jessieville High School Concert Choir, both directed by Lydia deSambourg; Fun City Chorus, directed by Steve Spakes; Lake Hamilton Singers, directed by Jacob Richardson; Cutter Morning Star High School Choir, directed by Jill Williams; and the Hot Springs High School Varsity Choir, directed by Shannon Nash.

"I think it is good to see all these school districts together in one program," Fox said, noting the concert will give the groups the opportunity to hear each other perform, and provides a good opportunity for anyone who cannot make it to the individual school concerts see them perform.

Around 1,500 people typically attend the family friendly concert, Fox said, adding that it also offers a chance for the community to come together.

"We appreciate the community's continued support for the event," he said.

Admission for the event is one nonperishable food item at the door. NPC Medical Professions students have been collecting nonperishable food items all semester, a news release said. Last year, more than 2,000 pounds of food was collected. Food collected will be distributed to local charities.

Fox said the concert is in the spirit of giving with the performers giving the gift of their songs and the audience giving the gift of their nonperishable donations.

"It is a time of year where singing is good for the soul," Fox said.