Festival of Lights Returns to Gardner-Webb for 40th Year with Music, Scripture, and Festive Traditions

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

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Department of Music invites the communities of Gardner-Webb, 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 Gardner-Webb students and faculty.

General admission is $15. Tickets are available here. 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 Gardner-Webb 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 “A Christmas Hallelujah” 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. “This year’s program features familiar carols and audience sing-alongs as well as original selections by some of today’s greatest living composers such as Ola Gjeilo, Ivo Antognini, and Eric Whitacre,” he noted. “The audience will hear wonderful performances by all of the GWU Choirs as well as the GWU Orchestra as we open the Christmas season.”

Attendees will be invited to sing “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” and “Joy to the World.” Other traditional choral selections include “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” “Ding Dong! Merrily on High,” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

The production includes a selection of contemporary classical pieces. The Webb Chorale, directed by Dr. Eric Johnson, will perform “O magnum mysterium,” (Oh, Great Mystery). The Gardner Singers, directed by Rice, will sing “Veni, Veni Emmanuel,” (Come, Come Emmanuel), and the Concert Choir, directed by Cheney, will present “The Rose,” and “Lux Aurumque” (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.

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. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.