The annual Festival of Lights will be the last event of the University’s Founders Day Celebration on November 30, 2023. The program begins at 7 p.m. in Dover Theatre, followed by a reception in Tucker Student Center. A beloved Christmas tradition since 1984, the event will include all the favorite activities that area families have enjoyed in the past—reading of the Christmas story, singing carols, musical presentations, luminaria-lined walkways, and lighting of the Christmas tree.
WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER – Dr. William M. Downs
CHRISTMAS EVE / SARAJEVP 12/24 (arr. Bob Phillips; 1953) – ORCHESTRA
NOEL (Brad Holmes; 1956) – CHOIRS
MICAH 5:2 -Dr. Josh Parrott, Vice President for Christian Life and Service
DECK THE HALLS (IN 7/8) (James McKelvy; 1917-2003) – WEBB CHORALE
HOW GREAT OUR JOY! (Craig Courtney; b. 1948) – WEBB CHORALE
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL* (arr. David Wilcocks) – AUDIENCE, CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY (arr. Dan Forrest; b. 1978) – CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
MATHEW 1:18–25 – Dr. Josh Parrot
OH HOLY NIGHT (arr. Calvin Custer; 1939-1998) – ORCHESTRA
GOIN’ TO BETHLEHEM (Jay Althouse; b. 1951) – GARDNER SINGERS
ADVENT – CRAIG COURTNEY
LUKE 2:1-7 – Dr. Josh Parrott
GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN* (arr. David Willcocks) – AUDIENCE, CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
MAGNIFICAT (Joshua Cheney; b. 1987) – GRACE SCHIEFEN, CONDUCTOR
GAUDETE! (arr. Michael Engelhardt; b. 2952) – CONCERT CHOIRS
SILENT NIGHT (arr. Dan Forrest) – CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
LUKE 2:8-20 – Dr. Josh Parrott
CLOSING PRAYER* – Dr. Josh Parrott
*Those who are able, please stand.
Share photos of your decorations, Christmas lights, and GWU spirit home for the holidays using #GWUfestivalOfLights
PERSONENTHODIE (arr. Lara Hoggard; 1915-2007)
IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR* (arr. Richard Storrs Willis; 1819-1900) – CONGREGATION, GWU CHOIRS, BRASS & PERCUSSION
A CHILD LIKE YOU (Stephen Hopkins; b. 1958)
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL (arr. Jill Friedersdorf, Mellissa Malvar-Keylock; b. 1952, b. 1985) – TREBLE CHORALE
ISAIAH 43:1–3 (Bruce Moser; b. 1980) – FIGARO ENSEMBLE
A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS – OLD TIME ENSEMBLE
ISAIAH 9:1–7 – Neal Payne, Interim Vice President for Christian Life and Service
FESTIVAL FIRST NOWELL* (arr. Dan Forrest; b. 1978) – CONGREGATION, GWU CHOIRS, BRASS & PERCUSSION
I SAW THREE SHIPS (arr. Richard Elliot, Matt Nickel; b. 1957, b. 1980) – TIMOTHY SCRUGGS, ORGAN; DR. SARAH FABIAN, PAYTON HUFFMAN, CONNER SETTLEMYRE, PERCUSSION
THATOLD-FASHIONEDCHRISTMAS – Michael Ryan; b. 1975
TANTUM ERGO (José Maria Beobide; 1882–1967) – MEN’S CHORALE
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING (arr. Tim Hudson; b. 1965)
GOOD CHRISTIAN MEN, REJOICE (arr. Jari Villanueva; b. 1955) – BRASS CHOIR
MATHEW 1:18–25 – Neal Payne
BENIDICTUS (Oratario de Noel, op.12) (Camille Saint-Saëns; 1835–1921; Gabrielle Martin, soprano; Peter Moore, baritone)
FUM, FUM, FUM (arr. Alice Parker; b. 1925) – ANNABETH REED, CONDUCTOR
ES IST EIN’ ROS’ ENTSPRUNGEN (Michael Praetorius; 1571–1621) – CONCERT CHOIR
OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (REDNER) – CALEB ETCHINSON, PIANO; ELIJAH ULYSSE, SAXOPHONE
SILENT NIGHT (arr. Rhonda Polay; b. 1951) – ELIE BRINSON, MEZZO SOPRANO; GWU CHOIRS
JOHN 4:19–26 – Neal Payne
CLOSING PRAYER* – Neal Payne
