Northwestern College to present Christmas Vespers

The Northwestern College music department will present its annual Christmas Vespers concert Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s theme, “Gloria,” comes both from the words “Glory to God in the Highest” spoken by the angels to the shepherds and from the “Gloria in excelsis Deo” movement of the Latin Gloria setting.

The A cappella Choir, Women’s Choir, Orchestra and Trombone Ensemble will all perform festive music, and organist MaryLou Wielenga will also be featured with solo performances. The A cappella Choir will present a 22-minute Gloria by John Rutter, first performed at Northwestern back in 1986. The piece will also feature brass choir, organ (played by Nora Verburg) and three soloists—Ashlynn Anderson, Bree Hodnefield and Libby Ven Huizen. Other familiar pieces on the program, which the audience will be invited to sing along with, include “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World”  and more.

“This year’s Vespers will provide multiple reflections of the Christmas story in ways that continually bring us back to praise God for the gift of his son,” says Dr. Thomas Holm, music department chair. “It should be both a service and a concert that is uplifting, encouraging and inspiring.”

This year, seating tickets will be required for the Vespers performances. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The two types of tickets include family, which is a limit of three in a stickered area, and single. Those interested in obtaining tickets should contact Nora Verburg at 712-707-7062 or nverburg@nwciowa.edu. Please call on Mondays through Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets will be available to the community on Nov. 16. They can be picked up at the door prior to the performance.

Masks will also be required at the performances.

Northwestern’s music department has a tradition of dynamic performances, outstanding faculty and standout educational experiences in an environment committed to glorifying God. Students can audition for one or more of 10 ensembles, having the opportunity to tour around the world and perform in the award-winning Christ Chapel.