‘Christmas at Belmont: Live from Nashville’ Goes Global with Amazon Music

christmas at belmont performers on stage
College of Music & Performing Arts

‘Christmas at Belmont: Live from Nashville’ Goes Global with Amazon Music

October 9, 2024 | by Julia Copeland

Alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry and Dwan Hill join more than 600 students for a performance that will stream live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch

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ashley cooke, cody fry, dwan hill

Belmont University’s beloved annual concert tradition, "Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville," announced that Amazon Music will livestream the annual event for the first time. Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 11, this popular holiday spectacular will stream to a global audience on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and marks the first time the event has been available on a global streaming service. A showcase of Belmont’s musical talent through an array of traditional carols, classical masterworks and seasonal favorites, this year’s event will feature performances from Belmont alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry and Dwan Hill.

Belmont University President Greg Jones noted, "This global showcase with Amazon Music is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our students and faculty. It's a moment of celebration for our entire community as we share the joy of music and the spirit of Christmas with people around the world. As viewers tune in from across the globe, they'll see our students and alumni applying years of rigorous training and collaborative creativity in real-time, illustrating why Belmont, located in the heart of Nashville, is a premier destination for aspiring artists and musicians.” 

"Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville" highlights the College of Music & Performing Arts’ commitment to fostering innovative creativity and providing comprehensive training. The 90-minute performance will feature more than 600 student musicians and vocalists where viewers will witness the depth of Belmont’s musical education. Filmed live in front of an audience at the University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, more than 15 student choirs and ensembles will perform including the Belmont Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, Southbound (country) and Voxology (Gospel, R&B), among many others.

This year's performance will feature special guest appearances by acclaimed Belmont alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry and Dwan Hill. Ashley Cooke, a 2019 corporate communications graduate and a rising country music star, recently celebrated her first No. 1 song and earned the Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Awards for her song, “your place.” Since graduating, Cooke has rapidly ascended country music charts, touring with notable artists and releasing critically acclaimed music showcasing her authentic songwriting and powerful vocals.

Cody Fry, 2012 commercial music alum and multi-faceted artist, brings his diverse talents as a singer-songwriter, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist. Fry's innovative approach to music production has garnered him widespread acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for his orchestral version of "Eleanor Rigby." His ability to blend classical elements with contemporary pop has led to viral success on platforms like TikTok and collaborations with major symphony orchestras around the world. 

Multiple Grammy and Dove award winner Dwan Hill brings his extensive musical experience to the performance featuring The Choir Room, a nonprofit he founded. The Choir Room brings together a diverse community of hundreds of singers and musicians, exemplifying a commitment to inclusive, community-driven music. The Choir Room's recent partnership and funding from Belmont University's Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life and Faith supports Hill's mission of reviving choral music and fostering faith-driven artistic expression. Hill, a 2008 music education graduate and 2013 Master of Music graduate, now serves as an adjunct professor in the University's songwriting program.

The performance will be recorded and broadcast live from Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, a 1,700-seat venue that opened in 2021. The Center's advanced acoustics and production technology allow for nuanced sound control and dynamic lighting, enhancing the diverse musical styles showcased in "Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville." As both an educational resource and a cultural asset for Nashville, the Fisher Center embodies Belmont's dedication to excellence performing arts education and presentation. 

The “Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville” broadcast will begin with a tune-in event, Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. CST on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and will be available throughout the holiday season via video on demand. For more information, visit belmont.edu/christmas.

Learn more about Christmas at Belmont and the College of Music & Performing Arts