>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

GALA EVENT: Eastern Oregon University's Chamber Choir is among groups performing at the Holiday Music Festival. Here six of the 44-member choir don caroling garb as they perform with the Union County Children's Choir during the children's choir's concert earlier this week. Front row, from left, are Kate Garrick, Kathy Hire and Iris Hinz. Back row, from left, are Harold Poeling, John Winn and David Mather. (The Observer/PHIL BULLOCK).

The Observer's Holiday Music Festival at Eastern Oregon University will present

its 12th annual performance.

Nearly 200 performers from Eastern Oregon University and the Grande Ronde Valley will perform at this gala event.

This year's special guests include the Union County Children's Choir, Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, EOU Jazz Ensemble, Grande Ronde Community Chorus, EOU Chamber Choir, EOU Fiddle ensemble, EOU African Drumming Group and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Also included this year will be a canned food drive benefiting Neighbor to Neighbor Ministries and a silent auction by the EOU Chamber Choir.

All proceeds from the event are dedicated to the Eastern Piano Project that is sponsored by the Eastern Oregon University Foundation. The Piano Project recently purchased six new pianos for the Eastern Music Department.

All tickets are general admission and available at Sunflower Books, the Eastern Bookstore and at the door. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.

For more information call Peter Wordelman at 962-3352.