Imagine live, locally created holiday entertainment warming your living room or den as dear ones gather on the big comfy couch with blankets, popcorn and hot chocolate for a much-needed respite from the world outside.

It’s not a greeting-card-company dream; it’s the beloved “Joys of the Season,” the annual holiday-themed arts showcase from Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts, and audiences can enjoy it from home this year.

Premiering Dec. 6 on MTSU’s True Blue TV and the university’s Facebook page and YouTube channel and now available to watch all month, the December 2021 special edition of the university’s monthly “Out of the Blue” TV program brings the complete “Joys of the Season” to TV and online audiences for the first time.

The hourlong holiday special focuses on student and faculty creative activity from the Department of Art and Design, the MTSU School of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance.

“There is so much creativity and versatility in the College of Liberal Arts!” says interim liberal arts Dean Leah Lyons. “These traits truly stand out in this installment of ‘Joys of the Season.’

Dr. Leah Lyons

“Not only are we fortunate to have the talent pool that we have in the college, we have big-hearted individuals — faculty, students and staff — who are willing to go above and beyond to put together an outstanding presentation like this one. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this fantastic production. I’m glad that the college had the opportunity to be featured on this edition of ‘Out of the Blue.’”

“Joys of the Season” began in 2015 to showcase the College of Liberal Arts’ performing and fine arts departments and to express the university’s appreciation to the community for its decades of support.

Though the college’s creativity — and gratitude — never waned, the university’s pandemic-forced restrictions on public gatherings meant that “Joys” took a hiatus in 2020.

As fall 2021 proceeded, organizers realized that they could reach their widest audience and keep them safer for future arts events by taking the 2021 “Joys” to the screen.

The 2021 “Joys of the Season” broadcast features:

Angela Tipps

Dr. Reed Thomas

• Performances of holiday classics by the School of Music’s MTSU Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Reed Thomas, and the MTSU Men’s Chorale and Women’s Chorale, directed by Angela Tipps.

• MTSU Dance Program students performing “Whimsical Candy Cane Swirls,” a piece choreographed by assistant professor Jade Treadwell from Act II of “The Nutcracker” ballet, focusing on the Russian “candy cane” dancers.

• A team effort for an original arrangement of “Jingle Bells,” showcasing the musical theatre abilities of MTSU Theatre professor Kristi Shamburger’s students accompanied by dancers choreographed by senior theatre major Kassandra Hazard.

Jade Treadwell

Kristi Shamburger

• A fascinating presentation by students in assistant graphic design professor Sheri Selph’s Typography in Motion class, who asked themselves, “How do you find ‘Joy in the Season’?”, and turned their answers into an opportunity for viewers to recall, share and create their own unique and special family traditions.

The hourlong program also includes an interview with Lyons, who explores the myriad options for study — and careers — available to students who choose liberal arts at MTSU.

The “Joys of the Season” episode of “Out of the Blue” will repeat on True Blue TV throughout the month of December and will air on News Channel 5+ in the Nashville market and on stations in at least 17 states.

Sheri Selph

“Out of the Blue” also airs on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, as well as on NewsChannel5+ at 3:30 p.m. Sundays.

The College of Liberal Arts established its MTSU Arts program in 2011 to support public performances and exhibits by the university’s art, theatre and dance departments and the School of Music.

For more information about the show and about MTSU Arts, visit www.mtsu.edu/mtsuarts. To learn more about MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts and its programs, visit www.mtsu.edu/liberalarts.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)

Members of the Middle Tennessee State University Men’s Chorale perform in the 2021 “Joys of the Season” holiday-themed arts showcase from the College of Liberal Arts, available to watch now on MTSU’s True Blue TV at https://mtsu.edu/TrueBlueTV and the university’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The hourlong program will be airing all month on True Blue TV and other area media outlets. (MTSU screenshot)

Members of the Middle Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble perform in the 2021 “Joys of the Season” holiday-themed arts showcase from the College of Liberal Arts, available to watch now on MTSU’s True Blue TV at https://mtsu.edu/TrueBlueTV and the university’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The hourlong program will be airing all month on True Blue TV and other area media outlets. (MTSU screenshot)

MTSU senior graphic design major Bailey Wrenn’s illustration of holiday memories — in this case, celebrating with pets — is part of 2021 “Joys of the Season” holiday-themed arts showcase from the College of Liberal Arts, available to watch now on MTSU’s True Blue TV at https://mtsu.edu/TrueBlueTV and the university’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The hourlong program will be airing all month on True Blue TV and other area media outlets. (MTSU screenshot)