野狼社区 University鈥檚 Bass School of Music will present its 42nd annual Christmas Vespers concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at First Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 25.
Open seating tickets are $15 and are available online at okcu.edu/tickets or by calling 405-208-5227. For the first time, a livestream broadcast will be offered. Details for purchasing the livestream are available via .
More than 250 instrumentalists and choral singers will combine their talents for performances beneath the glow of the renowned stained-glass windows of First Presbyterian Church. The celebratory concerts feature organ, orchestra, Scripture readings, poetry, congregational singing of favorite carols and a candlelit finale.
鈥淚t is an especially great joy to once again bring so many OCU students and faculty together to present our annual Christmas Vespers concerts in this magnificent venue,鈥� said Randi Von Ellefson, director of choral activities at OCU. 鈥淭his beloved tradition was missed last year by so many, and we are thrilled to be able to reconvene to celebrate the season.鈥�
Highlights of the show include arrangements of familiar carols for choir, orchestra and organ including Morten Lauridsen鈥檚 鈥淥 Magnum Mysterium,鈥� the traditional Basque carol 鈥淭he Angel Gabriel,鈥� Kathryn Parrotta鈥檚 鈥淭here Is No Rose,鈥� Kaitlin C. Martin鈥檚 鈥淐hristmas Jewel鈥� and Gwyneth Walker鈥檚 鈥淲hat Child Is This.鈥�
The audience is invited to join in traditional carols including 鈥淭he First Noel鈥� and 鈥淥 Come, All Ye Faithful.鈥�
Jake Johnson, an OCU alumnus, author and performer, will narrate the event. OCU鈥檚 four choirs 鈥� Ad Astra, University Singers, University Chorale and University Chamber Singers 鈥� are under the direction of Ellefson and Tony Gonzalez. Jeffrey Grogan will lead the OCU Vespers Orchestra, and university organist Melissa Plamann will be featured.
A musical prelude will be held 30 minutes before each concert, highlighting student organists; the OCU Flute Choir, under the direction of Parthena Owens; and the OCU Early Music Ensemble, under the direction of Benjamin Shute and Anastasia Abu Bakar.
The concerts will conclude with 鈥淣ight of Silence,鈥� the traditional candlelight recessional inspired by 鈥淪ilent Night.鈥�
