β―More than 250 instrumentalists and choral singers will join forces this weekend for ΏͺΤΖΜεΣύ'sβ―45th annual Christmas Vespers. Themed βO Come, O Come Emmanuel,β the celebratory concerts feature full orchestra, chamber ensembles, poetry and Scripture readings, community singing of carols, and a finale with candlelit singers encircling the congregation.β―β―
The event will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in First Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 25th St., preceded by a 30-minute musical prelude.
Guest narrators are OCU President Kenneth Evans and Sunny Cearley, president and CEO of Allied Arts OKC.
Julie Yu, director of choral studies for OCU and artistic director for Canterbury Voices, is returning to lead the Vespers concert for her second year.
βWhat a beautiful way to celebrate the start of the Christmas season as we join together for concerts performed by talented OCU musicians,β Yu said. βThe term βVespersβ was inspired by the Latin word forβ―βevening star.β We invite you to join us as we are led by that evening star, which guides us in our lives and our art. May the music we present shine a warm light into this holiday season for everyone.β
Concert highlights include arrangements of carols for choir, orchestra and organ, a solo piece performed with string quartet, and the Hallelujah chorus from G.F. Handelβs βMessiah.β
OCUβs three major choirs β Ad Astra, University Singers, and University Chorale β will be led by Yu and by Karsten Longhurst. Jeffrey Grogan will lead the 46-member OCU Vespers Orchestra. University organist Melissa Plamann will be featured on the Gothic Revival churchβs 91-rank Moeller.β―
This yearβs musical prelude will highlight student guitarists and the ΏͺΤΖΜεΣύ Flute Choir, selected as the National Flute Associationβs top collegiate flute choir in 2022.β―β―
The concerts will conclude withβ―βNight of Silence,β the traditional choral-and-orchestral candlelight recessional inspired byβ―βSilent Night.ββ―
Tickets ($15) for in-person performances and livestreams are available online at okcu.edu/tickets or by calling 405-208-5227.β―
