Festival of Lights

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Celebrate with us!

The Gardner-Webb University Department of Music is honored to invite the communities of Gardner-Webb, Boiling Springs, and greater Cleveland County to the 2024 celebration of Festival of Lights. 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. Beginning in 2024, admission for the event is $10, $5 of which will go directly to support the Department of Music and $5 of which will be used in Western North Carolina for relief efforts to support those in need impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Program Details

Welcome, Opening Prayer
Downs

Fiesta de Navidad
Orchestra / Sparti

Angels We Have Heard on High
Choirs, Orchestra / Cheney

Scripture 1 – Titus 2:11
Parrott

Christmastide
Webb Chorale / Johnson

O magnum mysterium
Webb Chorale/ Johnson

Hark! the herald angels sing
Audience, Choirs, Orchestra / Cheney

Sussex Carol
Choirs, Orchestra / Rice

Scripture 2 – Isaiah 9:6-7
Parrott

Greensleeves
Orchestra / Sparti

O Little Town of Bethlehem
Gardner Singers / Rice

That Old-Fashioned Christmas
Gardner Singers / Rice

Scripture 3 – Luke 1:1-7
Parrott

The First Nowell
Audience, Choirs, Orchestra / Cheney

This little babe
Concert Choir / Cheney

Gabriel’s Message
Concert Choir / Cheney

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Choirs / Rice

Silent Night
Choirs, Orchestra / Johnson

Scripture 4 – Luke 2:8-20
Parrott

Closing Prayer
Parrott

Follow Us

Share photos of your decorations, Christmas lights, and GWU spirit home for the holidays using #GWUfestivalOfLights

Watch Last Year’s Celebration!

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.