Gardner-Webb’s Annual Festival of Lights Ushers in Celebration of Christmas

Community Invited to Join the Campus on Dec. 5 to Experience the Sights and Sounds of the Season

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Department of Music hosts the 2024 celebration of Festival of Lights on Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Dover Theatre. Featuring performances by GWU music groups, the program includes carol singing and the reading of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke.

Admission for the event is $10—$5 of which will be used in western North Carolina to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene and $5 will go directly to support the Department of Music. General admission tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.*

Dr. Joshua Cheney, assistant professor of music and coordinator of choral activities, described the repertoire chosen for the program. He noted, “We are excited to share selections of Christmas classics arranged by contemporary composers Dan Forrest, Matt Riley, Shawn Kirchner, and Elaine Hagenberg, alongside original compositions by Benjamin Britten, Tom Shelton, and Ivo Antognini.”

President Dr. William Downs will give the welcome and opening prayer. Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrot will present the scripture readings and offer the closing prayer.

Performances will be given by the Concert Choir, Orchestra, Webb Chorale, and Gardner Singers. The audience will join in singing, “The First Nowell,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Other traditional selections include “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Silent Night,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Afterward, the audience will walk along a luminaria-lighted path to participate in the lighting of the campus tree in front of Tucker Student Center. Then, refreshments will be served in Tucker.

* To have adequate seating available for the community, only the first 65 current Gardner-Webb students will receive complimentary tickets. These seats are first-come, first-serve and can be reserved by directly contacting the Department of Music at (704) 406-4448.

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.

Gardner-Webb University 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., Gardner-Webb 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. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.