The Forrest County Campus kicked off the holiday season for Pearl River Community College with the seventh annual Making Spirits Bright concert Monday, Nov. 10. Members of the Wildcat Family, including current students, faculty, and staff, Board of Trustees members, and retired faculty and staff, filled the Dr. Cecil Burt Special Events Room for an evening of holiday cheer.
The night sparkled with the perfect mix of sweet treats, camaraderie, and mesmerizing music, leaving attendees with lasting memories. During intermission, guests were invited to participate in a raffle featuring homemade gifts and a selection of specialty items to delight the winner or a future recipient. A silent auction was also held, including a seven-foot wooden tree decked with lights and a golf package for two at Shadow Ridge Golf Course.
Instructor Jackie Runnels launched the event in 2017, donating a baby grand piano to make the musical extravaganza happen. Funds raised from the first year helped cover costs of maintaining and tuning the piano. Now, the event supports faculty and staff development opportunities that enhance student learning.
“We’re so grateful for the many faculty, staff, and students who volunteered their time, talents, and even resources to make this event possible,” said Runnels. “Pearl River Community College is a great place to be because of the people who continually give back. We’re proud to share that spirit during the Christmas season.”
Dr. Rudy Gatlin coordinated the local talent for the musical portion of the evening. Gatlin opened and closed the evening with familiar tunes. He also served as an accompanist for two selections, ‘Breath of Heaven’ and ‘O Come All You Unfaithful’, sung by Dr. Amy Duke, online instructor of mathematics for PRCC.
Pianist Aaron McKenzie served as an accompanist for vocalist Tyler Berry and a solo artist performing his arrangements of familiar tunes. Both Berry and McKenzie are former PRCC students.
“I can’t thank our performers enough for giving their time and energy to make this event special,” said Gatlin. “It takes a lot to bring something like this together.”
A crowd favorite of the evening, “Hallelujah (Light Has Come)” arranged by Jackson, Warren and Kibble, was sung by Melodie and Bethanie DuBose with Alicia DuBose on piano. The trio also performed “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Bethanie DuBose demonstrated her talent as a flutist for the piece, “Gesù Bambino,” arranged by Macalintal and played by Alicia DuBose.
Several students of Dr. Gatlin attended the concert as part of their live music attendance requirements for the music appreciation class.
Middle College student Kenya Morris of Hattiesburg came with friends. She is a junior at Hattiesburg High School and just started her journey at PRCC this fall.
“Coming here for Dr. Gatlin’s class made me realize how much work goes into performing live,” said Morris. “It’s amazing how people can sing and play the flute or piano — it takes a lot of skill.
“The DuBose Trio’s performance of ‘Hallelujah (Light Has Come)’ was my favorite this evening.”
Chris Veal of Hattiesburg is also a Middle College student from Hattiesburg High School. He sat with several friends. The songs sung by Gatlin, “Angels We Have Heard on High” to start the concert and “O Holy Night” to end it, were his favorites.
“Dr. Gatlin had us attend concerts for our music appreciation class,” said Veal. “I thought a concert might be kind of corny, but it turned out to be really enjoyable. It opened my eyes to how good live music can be.”
