RCSJ Cumberland Concert Brings Free Holiday Music and Community Joy
Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland ensembles presented a free holiday concert at the Guaracini Center on December 2, offering instrumental and vocal favorites to the Vineland community. The event reinforced local access to arts programming, provided a moment of shared celebration, and highlighted the role of community cultural events in supporting mental wellbeing and social connection.
On the evening of December 2, the RCSJ Cumberland Campus Jazz Band and Wind Symphony filled the Guaracini Center in Vineland for the college system's annual Holiday Campus Concert. The free performance, led by founding Director Joseph Akinskas, featured a mix of instrumental and vocal holiday selections that drew students, faculty, families, and neighbors into a communal space for music and celebration.
The ensembles performed a range of familiar pieces including Christmas Time is Here by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano in an arrangement by Paul Murtha, and A Mariah Carey Christmas arranged by Joe Murphy, among others. The concert capped activities for the campus groups in their forty second performance season, and gave local residents an accessible opportunity to experience live ensemble music without cost barriers.
“The opportunity to engage with the RCSJ community and usher in the holiday season is always a delight for the College ensembles,” Akinskas said. “Music is an integral element of the holiday season, and we look forward to sharing our holiday repertoire.” His comments underscore how campus arts programs serve both educational and civic functions, connecting students to the public and bringing cultural offerings into the everyday life of Cumberland County.
Beyond the immediate enjoyment of the music, community gatherings like this carry public health and social equity implications. Free arts programming reduces cost barriers that can exclude older adults, low income families, and residents without transportation from cultural participation. Shared events support social cohesion and can relieve seasonal stress and isolation, particularly among people who live alone or are grieving during the holidays. Local health and cultural planners increasingly recognize that such programs contribute to broader wellbeing and should be considered in community health strategies.
Sustaining free concerts depends on institutional support and local partnerships, including college funding and community attendance. For Cumberland County residents, the December 2 concert offered more than seasonal cheer. It provided a tangible example of how public institutions can open doors to cultural life, promote inclusion, and help knit a healthier, more connected community.
