That Alma College football team’s Division III quarterfinal playoff game isn’t the only milestone event taking place on campus this weekend.
After 40 years as a faculty member, Secrest Professor of Music Will Nichols will be directing his final concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Remick Heritage Center for the Performing Arts Presbyterian Hall when the college choirs and chamber orchestra join forces to present the “Festival of Carols,” an annual event he founded.
Nichols began his career at Alma College in 1983. He has served as choir and chorale director, as well as providing leadership to the Alma A. Cappella.
In addition he also teaches classes in conducting and voice in the college’s music education curriculum.
Nichols earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and his master’s and doctorate from Michigan State University.
According to his biography on the college’s website, Nichols is a baritone soloist who has performed with nearly every major symphony orchestra in Michigan, and has also performed in Germany, Poland and Spain.
For 22 summers he was a member of the Oregon Bach Festival professional chorus, and served as past president of the American Choral Directors Association of Michigan and director and dean of the Bay View Music Festival and Summer Conservatory in Petoskey.
Nichols and his wife, Pamela, have four grown children and four grandchildren.
“The Alma College Choirs have become my life’s work, and the students who make up the Alma Choirs are the reason I wake up every morning thinking about the singing we have to look forward to today,” he stated in his biography.
In a Facebook post, Alma College President Jeff Abernathy praised Nichols for his dedicated service over the years.
“I’m so grateful for Will Nichols’ work over four decades at Alma College,” he said. “Will is the heart and soul of Alma, and all of us are so proud of all he has accomplished in his career.”
For those interested in attending the Festival of Carols tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for senior citizens age 62 and older and children age 17 and younger. Tickets can be ordered online at www.alma.universitytickets.com.