The following is a presentation of the students and faculty of the College of Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University with the Center for Educational Media.

[MUSIC] Happy holidays everyone, I'm Andrew Oppmann.

And welcome to this special edition of “Out of the Blue: Joys of the Season”, our annual celebration featuring performances from our students and faculty in the College of Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University.

Joining me again, my co-host, Leah Lyons, Dean of the College, welcome.

>> Thank you, Andrew, thanks for having us back so that we can showcase the wonderful talent of our students in the College of Liberal Arts.

>> Let's go ahead and start the showcase.

What's up first?

>> Our first performance in Hinton Hall is the Steel Pan Ensemble conducted by Dr. Brian Mueller, a percussion faculty member in our School of Music.

They're playing an original mashup of two holiday songs - “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Frosty the Snowman”.

The English version of “Angels We Have Heard on High” was first written in 1862 by James Chadwick, and the lyrics are based on an original French song, ‘Les Anges dans nos campagnes'.

“Frosty the Snowman” was first released by Gene Autry in 1950 and has been covered by many great artists over the years.

This holiday favorite recounts the tale of Frosty, a “jolly, happy” snowman, and reminds us of the magical moments that children can enjoy on a snow day.

>> A one, two- [Drumsticks Clicking] [MUSIC] >> Whoo!

[MUSIC] >> One, two, one, two, three, and-!

["Angels We Have Heard on High" played on Steel Pans] >> Whoo!

>> One, two, one, two, three!

["Frosty the Snowman" played on Steel Pans] >> Whoo!

[Steel Pan solo] >> Whoo!

>> Assistant Professor of Dance, Jade Treadwell, choreographed our next piece, “Waltz of the Snowflakes”.

This classical ballet selection features dancers from the MTSU Dance program.

They are in Tucker Theater performing a scene from Act I of Tchaikovsky's famous “Nutcracker” ballet.

Let's follow along the same journey as Clara and the Nutcracker as they encounter this fantastic sight in the Fir Forest.

[“The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Snowflakes” plays] [“The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Snowflakes” plays] Middle Tennessee State University College of Liberal Arts helps students explore the world, engage minds, enrich lives, and earn a living.

[MUSIC] More at mtsu.edu/cla.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> And that's how electricity flows.

[MUSIC] >> Hey, Mom.

[MUSIC] Don't break it, don't break it.

>> Just one thing.

>> Thank you.

>> Wow, this looks amazing.

>> This is the electric robot I made all by myself.

[MUSIC] >> Welcome back to this special edition of “Out of the Blue: Joys of the Season”.

I'm Andrew Oppmann.

>> And I'm Leah Lyons.

>> Our next performance in Hinton Hall features some of our talented jazz students from our School of Music.

They are performing an arrangement by Professor Jamey Simmons of “Mary's Boy Child”, a song that was a big hit for Harry Belafonte.

[MUSIC] [Saxophone solo] [Saxophone solo] [Piano solo] >> Up next, let's head over to the “Out of the Blue” studio for a performance by two of our Musical Theater students, Moira Cagle and Logan Purcell.

Under the direction of Associate Professor Kristi Shamburger, Cagle and Purcell are singing the popular holiday duet “Baby, It's Cold Outside”.

This version is inspired by Idina Menzel and Michael Buble's 2014 cover of the song.

[MUSIC] >> Hey, Moira, where you going?

[MUSIC] >> I really can't stay.

>> Baby, it's cold outside.

>> I've gotta go away.

>> But baby, it's cold outside.

>> This evening has been- >> Been hoping that you'd drop in.

>> So very nice.

>> I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice.

>> My mother will start to worry.

>> Beautiful, what's your hurry?

>> My father will be pacing the floor.

>> Listen to that fireplace roar.

>> So really, I better scurry.

>> Beautiful, please don't hurry.

>> Well, maybe just a half a drink more.

>> I'll put some records on while I pour.

>> The neighbors might think.

>> Baby, it's bad out there.

>> Say, what's in this drink?

>> No cabs to be had out there.

>> I wish I knew how.

>> Your eyes are like starlight now.

>> To break this spell.

>> I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell.

>> I ought to say no, no, no, sir.

>> Mind if I move in closer?

>> At least I'm gonna say that I tried.

>> What's the sense of hurting my pride?

>> I really can't stay.

>> Baby, don't hold out.

>> Baby, it's cold outside.

>> You're very pushy, you know?

>> I like to think of it as opportunistic.

>> Ha-ha, Logan.

>> Look, it really is snowing out there.

>> Oh!

>> I simply must go.

>> Baby, it's cold outside.

>> The answer is no.

>> But, baby, it's cold outside.

>> The welcome has been- >> So lucky that you dropped in.

>> So nice and warm.

>> Look out the window at that storm.

>> My sister will be suspicious.

>> Gosh, your lips look delicious.

>> My brother will be there at the door.

>> Waves upon a tropical shore.

>> My maiden aunt's mind is vicious.

>> Gosh, your lips are delicious.

>> But maybe just a cigarette more.

>> Never such a blizzard before.

>> I don't even smoke.

I've got to get home.

>> Baby, you'll freeze out there.

>> Say, lend me your comb?

>> It's up to your knees out there.

>> You've really been grand.

>> I feel when I touch your hand.

>> But don't you see?

>> How can you do this thing to me?

>> There's bound to be talk tomorrow.

>> Think of my life-long sorrow.

>> At least there will be plenty implied.

>> If you got pneumonia and died.

>> I really can't stay.

>> Get over that hold out.

>> Baby it's cold, baby it's cold outside.

Okay, fine, just another drink then.

>> That took a lot of convincing.

>> See that?

Go slow.

>> I see it.

[MUSIC] >> Hello.

>> Hello.

>> You are looking good today.

>> Well, thank you.

>> I think it's time we take this off, don't you think?

>> Absolutely.

[MUSIC] >> In 2011, the College established MTSU Arts, to provide a singular brand to showcase the creative activity of our talented students and faculty.

Literally, hundreds of performances, exhibitions, and concerts are held annually through our art, dance, music, and theater programs.

Our students' artistic expressions demonstrate the transformative power of education in the arts.

Just as our students enrich their lives by showcasing their skills, we invite you to enrich yours by becoming an MTSU Arts Patron.

The MTSU Arts Patrons Society wa to enhance opportunities for our students in the Fine and Performing Arts.

When you become a member of the MTSU Arts Patrons Society, you ensure the vibrancy of the Fine and Performing Arts at MTSU and support the university's role as a cultural catalyst in Middle Tennessee and the world.

To join the Patrons Society, visit mtsu.edu/mtsuarts.

Middle Tennessee State University College of Liberal Arts helps students explore the world, engage minds, enrich lives, and earn a living.

[MUSIC] More at mtsu.edu/cla.

[MUSIC] >> Welcome back to this special edition of “Out of the Blue: Joys of the Season” featuring our College of Liberal Arts.

I'm Andrew Oppmann.

>> And I'm Leah Lyons.

>> In addition to instrumental ensembles in the School of Music we have opportunities for students to share their vocal talents through MTSU Choirs.

Schola Cantorum is led by our Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Raphael Bundage.

They are joining us to perform a traditional British folk Christmas carol “The Holly and the Ivy”, as arranged by H Walford Davies.

>> The holly and the ivy when they are both full grown of all trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown.

O, the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

>> The holy bears a blossom as white as any flower and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet Saviour.

>> Oh, the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

>> The holly bears a berry as red as any blood and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good.

>> O, the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

>> The holly bears a blesser and sharp as any thorn and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn.

>> O, the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

>> The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all.

>> O, the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

>> To close out this special edition of “Out of the Blue”, we're going to head back to Hinton Hall to hear the MTSU Symphony Orchestra perform an annual tradition of this show, Leroy Anderson's holiday classic “Sleigh Ride”.

[Symphony Orchestra playing “Sleigh Ride”] [”Sleigh Ride” ends] >> Oh wow, Professor Nies and the MTSU Symphony Orchestra!

Thank you for allowing us to continue this holiday tradition.

>> Very pleased to do so.

>> It was wonderful.

And this does wrap up this special edition of “Out of the Blue: Joys of the Season”.

My thanks to the College of Media and Entertainment for the use of its XR Stage, Dr. Leah Lyons, my co-host, and, of course, the amazing students and faculty of the College of Liberal Arts.

On behalf of the crew of “Out of the Blue”, I'm Andrew Oppmann, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and have a great New Year.

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