On Dec. 9 and 10, OCU’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music will combine more than 250 choral singers and instrumentalists for the 43rd annual Christmas Vespers concert.
The Friday performance will begin at 8 p.m. in Oklahoma City First Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 25th Street. The Saturday performance is a 4 p.m. matinee.
Tickets are available for the in-person concert, as well as a livestream, for $15 at www.okcu.edu/tickets or at (405) 208-5227.
The concert combines the talents of OCU’s four choirs, as well as the OCU Vespers Orchestra, the OCU Flute Choir, student organists, and University Organist Dr. Melissa Plamann.
The Ad Astra, University Singers, University Chorale, and University Chamber Singers are directed by Dr. Randi Ellefson and Professor Tony Gonzalez. This will be the final year Dr. Ellefson conducts Vespers before he retires.
The Vespers Orchestra is directed by Professor Jeffery Grogan, and the Flute Choir is directed by Professor Parthena Owens.
Before both concerts, a musical prelude will occur for 30 minutes to showcase the best nationally ranked Flute Choir and student organists.
The concert includes Scripture readings, organ, poetry, orchestra, congregational carol singing, and the traditional candlelight recessional, ‘Night of Silence,’ which was inspired by “Silent Night.”
“We started learning the music for Vespers the first day back after fall break, so immediately after our Fall Concert,” said Emma Maki, a sophomore Musical Theatre major and member of the University Singers.
She explained that some of the most challenging parts for her have been, “learning the Ralph Vaughn Williams piece, ‘Hodie,’ as well as learning how to sing in Russian for one of the songs.”
She said that her favorite song is Magnificat, by Z. Randall Stroope, adding onto it by saying, “it’s my favorite song I’ve ever sang in choir.”
She also said that, “this year has been a challenge since it’s my first year in University Singers.
“The music is harder, and we move at a faster pace, but I love Mr. G. (the director) and Vespers, so it’s definitely worth it.”
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