Northwestern to present Christmas Vespers

The Northwestern College music department will present its annual Christmas Vespers service Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

“This year’s theme is ‘My soul magnifies the Lord,’ and will center around Mary’s trust and faith in God as demonstrated by her ‘Magnificat’ song of praise,” says Dr. Thomas Holm, professor of music at Northwestern. “It will be followed by a celebration of the coming of the Christ child.”

The concert will include performances by the Brass Choir, Women’s Choir, A cappella Choir, Chamber Orchestra and Handbell Choir, in addition to Scriptural readings by Northwestern faculty and students.

The Brass choir will open the program with a rendition of Giovanni Gabrieli’s “Canzon duodecimi toni,” followed by the A cappella Choir and Handbell Choir’s performance of Richard Robert Rossi’s “Corde Natus: Of the Father’s Love Begotten” during the processional.

The Women’s Choir will perform “Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah” by Michael W. Smith and David Hamilton, in addition to the German folk song “Still, Still, Still.” The choir will also present a joint performance of John Alexander’s “A Carol Fantasy” with the A cappella Choir.

The Chamber Orchestra’s repertoire includes “Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune” by Richard A. Stephan and Gustav Holst’s “In the Bleak Midwinter.”

Nicole Elbers, soprano, will sing a solo with the A cappella Choir during their performance of Arvo Pärt’s “Magnificat.” Aaron Sundet, tenor, and Jacob Ven Huizen, baritone, will also accompany the ensemble during their rendition of Todd Smith’s “Noel,” and Amanda Vander Stelt, alto, will give a solo performance during “True Light” by Keith Hampton. The choir will also present “O nata lux” by Morten Lauridsen and “Priidite, poklonimsia” by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff.

The Handbell Choir will perform “Christmas Tapestry,” arranged by Linda McKechnie.

Throughout the concert, the audience will also be invited to sing a variety of Christmas carols, including “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Joy to the World” and “Rejoice, the Lord is King.”