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Annual Christmas Concert Invites the Community to Experience the Joy of the Season on Dec. 4

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳he 海角网 Department of Music invites the communities of 海角网, Boiling Springs, and greater Cleveland County to the 40th annual celebration of Festival of Lights on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Dover Theatre. This annual event features a joyful selection of Christmas classics, sacred choral works, and holiday favorites performed by talented 海角网 students and faculty.

General admission is $15. Tickets are available . The first 50 students to reserve tickets with Linda Lee ([email protected]) in the Department of Music will receive free tickets to the Festival of Lights performance.

“The Department of Music is thrilled to present the 2025 Festival of Lights,” emphasized Dr. Aaron M. Rice, department chair and associate professor of music. “Our ensembles have the most cross-campus engagement in a decade, presenting captivating performances and compelling musical experiences. This 海角网 tradition continues to grow each year with excellence and passionate expression. We look forward to connecting with our Cleveland County community as we celebrate the birth of Christ with the sounds of the season.”

The event opens with a welcome and prayer by Interim University President Nate Evans. Then, the GWU orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Patricia Sparti, performs 鈥淎 Christmas Hallelujah鈥� by Tom Fettke. With familiar melodies and heartfelt orchestration, this piece sets the tone for the celebration by inviting listeners to reflect on the birth of Christ and rejoice in the hope of the season.

Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrott will share the scripture readings throughout the program. Passages from Micah and Isaiah prophesy the birth of Jesus, and selections from Luke relate the Christmas story.

Dr. Joshua Cheney, associate professor and director of choral activities described the music for the evening. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 program features familiar carols and audience sing-alongs as well as original selections by some of today鈥檚 greatest living composers such as Ola Gjeilo, Ivo Antognini, and Eric Whitacre,鈥� he noted. 鈥淭he audience will hear wonderful performances by all of the GWU Choirs as well as the GWU Orchestra as we open the Christmas season.鈥�

Attendees will be invited to sing 鈥淚t Came Upon the Midnight Clear,鈥� and 鈥淛oy to the World.鈥� Other traditional choral selections include 鈥淥 Come, All Ye Faithful,鈥� 鈥淲hile Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,鈥� 鈥淒ing Dong! Merrily on High,鈥� and 鈥淥 Come, O Come, Emmanuel.鈥�

The production includes a selection of contemporary classical pieces. The Webb Chorale, directed by Dr. Eric Johnson, will perform 鈥淥 magnum mysterium,鈥� (Oh, Great Mystery). The Gardner Singers, directed by Rice, will sing 鈥淰eni, Veni Emmanuel,鈥� (Come, Come Emmanuel), and the Concert Choir, directed by Cheney, will present 鈥淭he Rose,鈥� and 鈥淟ux Aurumque鈥� (Light and Gold).

The program ends with a joint performance of Silent Night, arranged by Peter Anglea. Featuring the choirs and orchestra, this version of the beloved carol will invite the audience to pause and reflect on the nativity story.

Afterward, everyone is invited to participate in the lighting of the campus Christmas tree, located in front of the Tucker Student Center. Refreshments will follow.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at .