Lincoln Memorial University will kick off the holiday season on Nov. 30, with two performances by the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra (KSCO) and the annual tree lighting on the University Quadrangle.

The KSCO will perform in the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center at the Duke Hall of Citizenship. The first performance is set for 4 p.m. and the second will follow the annual tree lighting at 7:30 p.m. LMU’s Tri-State Community Chorus, under the direction of Ace Edwards, will join the KSCO on three pieces and the audience sing-along. The KSCO is a smaller ensemble of Knoxville Symphony musicians who perform in smaller venues. The mission of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO) is to develop and sustain a symphony orchestra of the highest artistic standards and to reach East Tennessee audiences of all ages by providing excellence in musical performance and education programs. The community concerts will feature traditional and popular holiday music.

KSO musicians have performed in communities throughout Tennessee, including Athens, Crossville, Dandridge, Greeneville, Jefferson City, Maryville, Morristown, Sevierville and Tellico Village. The KSO takes pride in its dedication to serving the region and is thrilled to provide live orchestral music for the people of East Tennessee. LMU and the KSO have partnered for nearly 15 years to bring the annual Christmas concert to the Tri-State community. Admission to the concerts are free with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy for the Mission of Hope Christmas campaign.

The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the quad. The program will include Christmas carols, a reading of the Christmas story and the annual countdown to the lighting of LMU’s holiday lights. Refreshments will be served.

In conjunction with the holiday celebrations, LMU will once again be collecting items for the non-profit charity Mission of Hope (MOH). The organization’s Christmas Campaign focuses on providing food, new clothing, hygiene items, books and new toys to needy families throughout rural Appalachia. MOH serves many communities close to LMU and funds several scholarship opportunities for LMU students. A complete list of items needed can be found at www.missionofhope.org.

The LMU Women of Service (WOS) Christmas Festival will also take place around the holiday kick-off festivities. The Festival will include holiday shopping under a heated tent on the quad from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Nov. 29, and from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Nov. 30. Local vendors will be on hand with jewelry, scarves, personalized items and more. All vendor booth fees benefit LMU’s Women of Service organization, which supports students and provides cultural opportunities for students at LMU. The WOS will serve soup, a drink and dessert for $5 starting at 11 a.m. each day.