Celebrate the magic of the season at the annual holiday performance of “The Songbook Academy Sings the Songs of the Season,” where talented local and regional alumni return for a heartwarming performance filled with beloved holiday classics.
The performance involves more than 20 Songbook Academy alumni, ranging from the classes of 2018 to 2024. It also includes students from esteemed institutions such as Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Howard University, Ball State University, Eastman School of Music and more. They will be accompanied by longtime Songbook Academy Music Director Mel Shore, renowned for her dynamic musical fluency on the piano and the Hammond B3, and her performance career as a sought-after studio musician, music director and award-winning composer and arranger.
As a special highlight, this performance will showcase the Songbook Foundation’s newest acquisition: Irving Berlin’s (“White Christmas,” “Happy Holiday”) Sohmer Studio Transposing Piano, an essential piece of musical history that is especially fitting for this time of year.
Celebrating the Holidays and the Great American Songbook
Great American Songbook Foundation Executive Director Chris Lewis and Director of Programs Renée La Schiazza recently shared exciting highlights from this season’s programming. They emphasized the significance of this cherished annual tradition, which showcases the talents of Songbook Academy alumni. Additionally, they revealed thrilling news about next year’s performance, promising even more reasons to celebrate the enduring legacy of America’s rich musical heritage.
“This has become an exciting holiday tradition for the Songbook Academy that began with a night at the pavilion at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, and it became so popular with the alums and the crowds that kept growing. We moved the [show] indoors to the Studio Theater and had to add a second show,” Lewis shared. “It’s a great way to celebrate the program year-round and for us to bring back kids from all over the country who are now in their college programs and/or are working professionally—and they can share their stories about how it all started right here on this campus!” Lewis added, “Applications have gone live for next year’s Songbook Academy. Visit thesongbook.org for more information.”
La Schiazza stated, “This year’s program is extremely exciting! It’s the most robust list of alums that we’ve had—27 alums—coming from all across the country, and [we] have alums ranging as far back as 2018 through our most recent summer [academy] in 2024. What we’ve asked from these young performers is to come back and perform one seasonal tune that means something to them this holiday season and to tell their story just as we do in the Songbook Academy, but this time through the lens of seasonal music.”
Both Lewis and La Schiazza expressed their enthusiasm for collaborating with the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel Christkindlmarkt and the Civic Theatre’s programming this year. “It’s wonderful to work together here on campus, surrounded by the incredible events happening at the Christkindlmarkt and the outstanding performances at the Palladium,” they shared. “We’re proud to be part of it all, and it’s a fantastic learning experience for our young performers.”
La Schiazza shared the exciting news that next year’s “Songbook Academy Sings the Songs of the Season” will be performed on the renowned Palladium stage.
“We will make a move to the Palladium for this performance, [and] we will be using the space creatively, seating the audience in the choral terrace and on the stage, with the orchestra seating area as the backdrop to maintain the intimacy of this show but expand our seating capacity,” La Schiazza said. “I think this is a wonderful testament to the support of the arts and of the [Songbook] Foundation. We continue to preserve not only some of these wonderful American songs but also create the next generation of artists who will continue the legacy of the Great American Songbook.”
The date for next year’s show is Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 (times TBD). Visit thesongbook.org for more information about this year’s sold-out show’s waitlist.
Songbook Academy alum testimonial:
“The Songbook holiday show is something I have been looking forward to every year since it began. It is always such a blast to see everyone I met through the Songbook Academy and catch up, talk about music, school, anything! Not only that, but the music of this season is always such a joy to sing and listen to, so to share that with such talented and passionate musicians is such a wonderful experience. I participated in Songbook Academy three years ago, and the fact that they have stayed in touch and continued to provide so many opportunities for me and other alums is truly so special. Not only that, but every time I work with Songbook or reunite with someone I know from the program, it always feels like we’re just picking up right where we left off, no matter how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other. I have always felt so comfortable and supported by my Songbook family, and I am so unbelievably grateful for that.” – Jilayne Kistner (2021), now attending Ithaca College for musical theater
