After a two-year hiatus from their Christmas Dinner Show tradition, the Bert Coble Singers raised over $3,000 in ticket proceeds toward the Fine Arts Department at Cumberland University. 

In addition, the three nights of dinner shows held in Baird Chapel in early December raised funds for two other Wilson County nonprofit organizations, Compassionate Hands and Empower me Center. Guests were able to select which of the three nonprofits their ticket proceeds supported. 

Dr. Bert Coble, the namesake of this beloved seasonal event, was a long-time faculty member at Cumberland and spent 25 years as the Coble Singers conductor. After he retired, Coble selected his associate conductor, Jennifer Perry, to take his place in 2012. Since then, Perry has continued the tradition of bringing holiday cheer to the community through collective generosity that was inspired by Coble and his wife, Sue. 

“It was so good to be back. Honestly, we didn’t know what to expect after a two-year forced hiatus,” said Perry. “To our pleasant surprise, we were close to capacity each night and we had many first time visitors each night! That is both exciting and humbling.”

As a 1983 alumna, Perry is excited to see the growth taking place at the university, including the new addition of Sandy Elliot, Cumberland alumna and 22-year Choir Director at Mount Juliet High School, who recently joined Cumberland’s music department. 

“Great days are ahead for the choral department and these funds can be used to help ensure a brighter future for the arts and music at CU,” continued Perry. “Having known and worked closely with Dr. Coble for many years, I don’t think anything would please him more.”

To learn more about the Bert Coble Singer, visit https://bertcoblesingers.com/. For more information about student scholarships at Cumberland, visit https://www.cumberland.edu/scholarships/.