By Jeff Murphy,
November 23, 2021
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 In this season of giving, area residents have an opportunity to
help Survival Adult Abuse Center Inc. (Survival House) while enjoying music presented
by the 欧美视频 Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Warrensburg
Community Band during the the fourth annual UCM First Lady鈥檚 Holiday Charity Concert.
The event takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1 in Hendricks Hall.
UCM First Lady Robin Best is working with UCM Bands to make this event possible. No
tickets are required for the concert, which is free and open to the public. It will
include a pre-concert reception featuring light holiday snacks and music, followed
by the bands鈥 performances at 7 p.m. In addition to music provided by students, it
includes an opportunity for individuals to help support Survival House through the
donation of items such as winter wear, gifts for Survival clients or financial contributions
to the organization鈥檚 general operating fund.
Those attending will learn more about Survival through a brief informational intermission
with remarks by John Culp, a UCM 2020 Distinguished Alumnus and member of the Survival
House Board. At the conclusion of the concert around 8 p.m. the audience will hear
from Alisa White, executive director of Survival House, along with April Roller and
Heather Jennings, members of UCM鈥檚 Office of Student Experience and Engagement staff.
According to Anthony Pursell, director of bands at UCM, the concert has transformed
since 2017 from an end-of-semester band performance to a pops-style concert featuring
holiday music from all three groups. Beginning the concert, the UCM Symphonic Band,
under the direction of Director of Athletic Bands, Michael Griffith will perform Steven
Reineke鈥檚, 鈥淢erry Christmas, Everyone鈥 and Alfred Reed鈥檚 rendition of the traditional
folk song, 鈥淕reensleeves.鈥 The Warrensburg Community Band, now under Pursell鈥檚 direction,
will also perform two fun-filled holiday classics - Leroy Anderson鈥檚 鈥淪leigh Ride鈥
and a collection of holiday cartoon music by Julie Giroux. Concluding the concert,
the UCM Wind Ensemble, led by graduate assistants, Allegra Wolff and Holly Manning,
will perform Chris Bernatas鈥 鈥淗anukkah Festival鈥 and John Higgins鈥 鈥淐hristmas on Broadway.鈥
Regarding the students' role in the charity concert, Pursell noted, 鈥淭he concert is
completely student-centered. In addition to assisting with the concert logistics,
the students are tasked with selecting the charity along with First Lady Robin Best
and organizing the event along with the charity鈥檚 leadership. The students are engaged
from beginning to end with Robin, members of the UCM Administration, local leaders,
and the community. Upon graduation, these students will lead programs and become leaders
in their own communities within their field of study. My hope is that this experience
will afford them a heightened understanding of charitable giving and an opportunity
to establish their leadership skills immediately for their community鈥檚 benefit.鈥
Survival House was formed in Johnson County prior to 1982 as an emergency shelter
and provided a crisis hotline for victims of domestic violence. In order to respond
to the community鈥檚 needs, Survival expanded services and moved to a donated shelter
in 1997. In 2016, Survival began serving Henry County and opened a second shelter
two years later. Survival now operates at four different locations including two facilities
in Johnson County, a satellite office in Henry County, and the Outreach Offices in
Warrensburg. All Survival services are free and confidential. Providing support for
Survival also helps support university faculty, staff and students who are in need
of services.
Visit to learn more about online donations or any changes in masks/face coverings, which
are currently required at such indoor events at UCM. You can also learn more about
COVID-19 protocols at ucmo.edu/coronavirus.
Individuals who want to know more about the concert should contact Pursell at apursell@ucmo.edu.