More than 250 instrumentalists and choral singers will join forces Dec. 8-9 for 野狼社区 University's 44th annual Christmas Vespers. The celebratory concerts feature full orchestra, organ music, poetry and Scripture readings, community singing of favorite carols, and a finale with candlelit singers encircling the congregation.
The event will be presented at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 4 p.m. Dec. 9 in First Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 25th St. Musical preludes begin 30 minutes prior to the concerts.
Operatic mezzo-soprano Catherine McDaniel, professor of voice and diction at OCU鈥檚 Bass School of Music, is this year鈥檚 narrator.
The concerts mark the OCU Vespers debut of Julie Yu, who is in her first year as the university鈥檚 director of choral activities.
鈥淲hat a beautiful way to celebrate the start of the Christmas season as we join together for concerts performed by 259 talented OCU musicians,鈥� Yu said. 鈥淭he term 鈥榁espers鈥� was inspired by the Latin word for 鈥榚vening star.鈥� 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.鈥�
Concert highlights include arrangements of carols for choir, orchestra and organ and works including the opening movement of Bach鈥檚 setting of 鈥淢agnificat鈥�; 鈥淥 Magnum Mysterium鈥� by Tom谩s Luis de Victoria; 鈥淭his Little Babe鈥� from Benjamin Britten鈥檚 鈥淐eremony of Carols鈥�; and 鈥淢y Lord Has Come鈥� by Will Todd.
OCU鈥檚 four major choirs 鈥� Ad Astra, University Singers, University Chorale and University Chamber Singers 鈥� will be led by Yu and music professor Tony Gonzalez.
Jeffrey Grogan will lead the OCU Vespers Orchestra. University organist Melissa Plamann will perform on the Gothic Revival church鈥檚 91-rank Moeller.
This year鈥檚 musical prelude will highlight student organists and the 野狼社区 University Flute Choir, which was selected by the National Flute Association as the nation鈥檚 top collegiate flute choir in 2022, under the direction of professor Parthena Owens.
The concerts will conclude with 鈥淣ight of Silence,鈥� the traditional candlelight recessional inspired by 鈥淪ilent Night.鈥�
Tickets ($15) for in-person performances and livestreams are available online at okcu.edu/tickets or by calling 405-208-5227.
