NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (October 10, 2024) — Belmont University's beloved annual concert tradition, "Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville," will be live-streamed for the first time through Amazon Music. Olivia Bastin of Muscatine, Iowa, will be among more than 600 student musicians and vocalists to perform in the beloved annual concert tradition.
Beginning Wednesday, December 11, this popular holiday spectacular will stream to a global audience on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and marks the first time the event has been available on a global streaming service. A showcase of Belmont's musical talent through an array of traditional carols, classical masterworks, and seasonal favorites, this year's event will feature performances from Belmont alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry, and Dwan Hill.
This tremendous opportunity exemplifies the enduring value of a Belmont education.
Belmont University President Greg Jones noted, "This global showcase with Amazon Music is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our students and faculty. It's a moment of celebration for our entire community as we share the joy of music and the spirit of Christmas with people around the world. As viewers tune in from across the globe, they'll see our students and alumni applying years of rigorous training and collaborative creativity in real-time, illustrating why Belmont, located in the heart of Nashville, is a premier destination for aspiring artists and musicians."
"Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville" highlights the College of Music and Performing Arts' commitment to fostering innovative creativity and providing comprehensive training. The ninety-minute performance will feature more than 600 student musicians and vocalists where viewers will witness the depth of Belmont's musical education. Filmed live in front of an audience at the University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, more than fifteen student choirs and ensembles will perform including the Belmont Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, Southbound (country), and Voxology (Gospel, R&B), among many others.
This year's performance will feature special guest appearances by acclaimed Belmont alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry and Dwan Hill. Ashley Cooke, a 2019 corporate communications graduate and a rising country-music star, recently celebrated her first N° 1 song and earned the Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Awards for her song, "your place." Since graduating, Cooke has rapidly ascended country-music charts, touring with notable artists, and releasing critically-acclaimed music showcasing her authentic songwriting and powerful vocals.
Cody Fry, 2012 commercial music alum and multi-faceted artist, brings his diverse talents as a singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. Fry's innovative approach to music production has garnered him widespread acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for his orchestral version of "Eleanor Rigby." His ability to blend classical elements with contemporary pop has led to viral success on platforms like TikTok and collaborations with major symphony orchestras around the world.
Multiple Grammy and Dove award winner Dwan Hill brings his extensive musical experience to the performance featuring The Choir Room, a non-profit he founded. The Choir Room brings together a diverse community of hundreds of singers and musicians, exemplifying a commitment to inclusive, community-driven music. The Choir Room's recent partnership and funding from Belmont University's Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life and Faith supports Hill's mission of reviving choral music and fostering faith-driven artistic expression. Hill, a 2008 music education graduate and 2013 Master of Music graduate, now serves as an adjunct professor in the University's songwriting program.
The performance will be recorded and broadcast live from Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, a 1,700-seat venue that opened in 2021. The Center's advanced acoustics and production technology allow for nuanced sound control and dynamic lighting, enhancing the diverse musical styles showcased in "Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville." As both an educational resource and a cultural asset for Nashville, the Fisher Center embodies Belmont's dedication to excellence performing arts education and presentation.
The "Christmas at Belmont: Live from Nashville" broadcast will begin with a tune-in event, Wednesday, December 11, 7PM CST on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and will be available throughout the holiday season via video on demand. For more information, visit belmont.edu/christmas.
About Belmont University
Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University comprises nearly 9,000 students from every state and 33 countries. Nationally ranked and consistently recognized by US News and World Report for innovation in higher education, the University offers more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 Master's programs, and five doctoral degrees. With a focus on whole person formation and data-informed social innovation, Belmont is committed to forming diverse leaders of character equipped to solve the world's complex problems. For more information, visit belmont.edu.
