Music
with a
Mission
A Jazz Christmas
The Wilson Somers Trio & Guests, Featuring Annie Fitch & Tyler Somers
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Starting at 4:00 PM
Visit jazzchristmas.org
There’s no better way to get into the Holiday Spirit than with an afternoon of exceptional Christmas and seasonal music from Delaware’s own Wilson Gault Somers with his jazz trio and guests. It’s time for the 2026 edition of “A Jazz Christmas” coming up on Sunday, December 6 at 4:00 PM at the Laird Performing Arts center at Tatnall School, 1501 Barley Mill Road, Wilmington, DE 19807.
As always, we’ll bring you the perfect mix of Christmas Classics and selected songs from Maestro Somers’ growing catalog of captivating holiday favorites. This year’s show also continues the family traditions of this special event with son Tyler Somers reprising his joyful presentation that will fill the audience with the warmth of the season.
Ticket prices are $30 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased on this site, and will also be available at the door. A significant portion of the net proceeds from this year’s concert will benefit the Code Purple program, operated by Friendship House. Their Empowerment Centers offer a warm and safe place for those experiencing homelessness on nights when temperatures fall below 20 degrees.
Click below to hear Wilson Gault Somers play “Lo, How A Rose Ere Blooming”, a beautiful sample of the
repertoire you will hear on December 6th! We hope to see you there!
Music with a Mission was established to support the work of acclaimed composer, conductor, and performer Wilson Gault Somers. Music with a Mission is passionate about using Somer’s creativity and art as a conduit to benefit worthwhile causes locally, regionally and nationally.
The resounding compositions of Wilson Gault Somers-including Mass for the Homeless and Requiem for 9/11-and their powerful message are the driving force behind Music with a Mission.
Through the organization’s operational planning, outreach, publicity, public relations, collaborations, and partnerships; communities on a local, regional, and national scale have benefited.
A Mission Through Music
Experience the Music,
be Part of the Mission
Enjoy the celebrated works of Wilson Gault Sommers, and understand why music unites so many.
Thanks to the power of music, local, regional and national organizations have received support in the form of donations and ticket sale proceeds.
Some of our beneficiaries include:
Music with a Mission owes all of our success to the generous donors, supporters, and fans who have embraced our mission of supporting causes that help those most in need locally, regionally, and nationally.
Your donations sustain us and allow this wonderful music and community outreach to continue.
Support the Music, Support the Mission
A Delaware Native,
A Son of Philanthropy
Beginning in 1962 at the Wilmington Music School (now the Music School of Delaware) Wilson Gault Somers embraced the universal language of music, beginning with keyboard studies. Since his illustrious start, Somers went on to study at some of the most prestigious universities in the American north east including the Westminster Choir School in Princeton, New Jersey.
Classically trained, uniquely positioned, and overflowing with creativity, Somers turned his passion for music into a mission for the masses. His composition Mass for the Homeless-co-written with his wife Joan Somers-has raised thousands of dollars for Delaware homeless missions since 1990.
On April 12, 1861 forces from the newly formed Confederate States of America fired a barrage of artillery attacking the United States military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Less than two days later, the fort surrendered and no one was killed. However, the incident began the Civil War, as known in the North and as known in the South,’ the War between the States’.
It was by far the bloodiest conflict in American History on American soil.
The battles began after Fort Sumter in 1861: First Bull Run/First Battle of Manassas; Hatteras Inlet; Ball’s Bluff; Belmont; in 1862, the Monitor and the Merrimack; Antietam; Second Battle of Manassas; In 1863, Chancellorsville and then…. On July 1st, 1863 the most horrific three-day battle began at the Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg, with 51,000 causalities of both Union and Confederate soldiers.