December 2015




Calendar of Free* Classical Concerts in Jacksonville



*Listings of Jacksonville concerts advertised as FREE are compiled chiefly from online calendars. Listed concerts could be subject to change or cancellation, and additional concert listings might be added.  Most venue addresses are given at left.



Tuesday, December 1 @ 7:30pm
JU Chamber Ensembles

Features varied chamber music performed by top students groups, including the Honors Chamber Ensemble.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Wednesday, December 2 @ 12noon
Music at Noon

Andrew Clarke, Christmas Piano and Organ Improvisations
* Riverside Presbyterian Church

Thursday, December 3 @ 7:30pm
Piano Play-Off Concert

Dr. Erin Bennett, coordinator
* UNF Recital Hall

Friday, December 4 @ 7:30pm
Orchestra Holiday Concert

* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Friday, December 4 @ 7:30pm
Student Chamber Music Concert

Dr. Erin Bennett, coordinator
(Print calendar had incorrect time of 4 p.m.)
* UNF Recital Hall

Friday, December 4 @ 7:30pm
Beaches Fine Arts Series: Calmus

A perfect blend of sound, precision, lightness and wit. These are the hallmarks of Calmus, now one of the most successful vocal groups in Germany. The ensemble has forged a refined sound which few groups achieve. The wide range of sound colors, the joy in performing that musicians convey on the concert platform, and their varied and imaginative programs are praised by the press time and time again.
* St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

Saturday, December 5 @ 7:30pm
Make We Joy: Songs of the Season

* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Sunday, December 6 @ 5pm
A Festival of Advent and Christmas Music

The Choirs, Hand Bells and soloists of Riverside Celebrate the Season.
* Riverside Presbyterian Church

Sunday, December 6 @ 6pm
Make We Joy: Songs of the Season

Join the Jacksonville University Choirs and Brass Ensemble for their annual holiday concert featuring a magical tapestry of seasonal music from around the world, including Pinkham’s beloved Christmas Cantata. Don’t forget to bring your voice for the carol sing-along. A reception follows sponsored by and featuring music performed by the All Saints Handbell Ensemble.
* All Saints Episcopal Church

Monday, December 7 @ 7pm
JSYO Holiday Concert

Enjoy Holiday music with a free concert by the musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras!
* Times-Union Center/Jacoby Hall, 300 Water St. 32202

Wednesday, December 9 @ 12Noon
LUNCH @ THE LOUNGE, featuring Meridian

Bring your lunch and catch the holiday spirit with Celtic Christmas carols performed by Meridian, an acoustic folk band featuring Martha Hotz, Arnold Graham Smith and Al Poindexter.
* JPL - Lounge at 303 North (just inside the Main Library's Laura St. entrance)

Friday, December 11 @ 7pm
Heavenly Peace Concert

De Profundis (Bob Moore, Joe Yorio & Tony Steve)
* Episcopal Church of Our Savior

Friday, December 11 @ 7:30pm
Sounds of the Season

In what has become a Jacksonville holiday tradition, the Don Thompson Chorale and the First Coast Wind Symphony will again combine to present their 17th annual Christmas event! The program will include many holiday favorites. The concert finale will feature both groups in a performance of two Christmas medleys: “It’s A Wonderful Christmas” and “Irving Berlin’s Christmas.”
* Riverside Baptist Church, 2650 Park Street

Saturday, December 12 @ 2pm
21st Annual Tuba Christmas

More than 150 tubas join together to play some of your favorite holiday classics.
* Jacksonville Landing

Sunday, December 13 @ 8:30am & 11am
Lessons and Carols

The Advent and Christmas Story presented in Word and Music! Join the Palms‘ Chancel Choir, The CAMP Choir, The Children’s Choir, soloist Destiny Guerra, organist Cathy Fortson, 28 members of The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and conductor Dr. Ronn Cummings as we celebrate the season. Bring a friend! Nursery provided.
* Palms Presbyterian Church

Sunday, December 13 @ 3pm
Intermezzo Concert with the Florida Brass Ensemble

Seasonal Fanfare
* JPL - Main Library Hicks Auditorium

Wednesday, December 16 @ 6pm
Lessons & Carols

Lessons and Carols is a wonderful tradition at St. Mark’s. Its general format goes back to 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge, where it has been sung on Christmas Eve ever since. We will have a lovely, candlelight service very close in format to that original service, led by our Choir and Choristers, featuring beautiful readings, carols, and other music that retell the wonderful Christmas story from Genesis through the Word being made flesh and beyond. A nursery is available during the service.
* St. Marks Episcopal Church

Sunday, December 20 @ 8:30am & 12noon
An Early American Service of Lessons and Carols

Ranging from Shaker hyms to African-American spirituals accompanied by piano, string quartet and hammered dulcimer
* Lakewood Presbyterian Church

Thursday, December 24 @ 8pm
Christmas Music Meditations

A thirty minute program of Christmas music, a prelude to 8:30pm, Christmas Eve candlelight worship.
* Riverside Presbyterian Church

Sunday, December 27 @ 3pm
Friday Musicale Scholarship Laureates

Doors open 30 minutes in advance of concert.
* Friday Musicale