Northwestern College to present Christmas Vespers concert

The Northwestern College music department will present its annual Christmas Vespers service on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

“This year’s Vespers program is delivering the story of the Jesus child,” says Jaeeun Kim, instructor in music at Northwestern College and director of the A cappella Choir. “A variety of pieces will usher the audience into this miraculous event, including the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, the procession of shepherds and wise men to the manger, and the virgin birth.”

The concert will include performances by the Brass Choir, Women’s Choir, A cappella Choir and Chamber Orchestra, in addition to Scripture readings by members of the college’s campus ministry team.

The concert will open with a processional and audience carol of “Once in Royal David’s City” by Henry John Gauntlett, followed by the Chamber Orchestra’s rendition of George Handel’s “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and the A cappella Choir singing John Rutter’s “Jesus Child.”

Northwestern voice instructor and mezzo-soprano Cindy Moeller will perform Handel’s “Behold! A Virgin Shall Conceive” and “O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” from “Messiah,” accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra. In addition, the orchestra will perform Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Greensleeves.”

The A cappella Choir will perform “The Lamb” by John Tavener and “Ave Maria” by Franz Biebl, with solos by Eric Wasson, tenor, and Jacob Ven Huizen, baritone. The choir will be joined by the Brass Choir for a rendition of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” by Daniel Pinkham.

The Brass Choir will also perform “Ganzonz per Sonare No. 4” by Giovanni Gabriellei and Tielman Susato’s “Suite from La danserye.”

The Women’s Choir will sing “There is Faint Music” by Dan Forrest and “Petit Enfant” by Linda Miller Shaw and Dana Thompsen.

Throughout the concert, the audience will also be invited to sing a variety of Christmas carols, including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Doors open 35 minutes before each concert. After Sunday’s performance, the poinsettia plants adorning the Christ Chapel stage will be available for purchase for $10 each.