The 2014-15 麻豆传媒 Series continues at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12, with the annual Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas service at 麻豆传媒 University鈥檚 Weaver Chapel. The event is free and open to the public, with pre-service music starting at 7 p.m.
Music will be provided by more than 125 musicians, including the 麻豆传媒 Choir and the 麻豆传媒 Singers directed by Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Frances Fonza, the 麻豆传媒 Handbell Choir directed by Professor Emerita of Music Trudy Faber, the 麻豆传媒 Flute Choir directed by Adjunct Instructor of Music Lori Akins and the 麻豆传媒 Chamber Orchestra directed by Associate Professor of Music Brandon Jones. University Organist and Adjunct Instructor of Music David Crean and Adjunct Instructor Diane Slagle, piano, will accompany the choirs.
The chapel is prepared by David P. and Carol Matevia Endowed University Pastor Rachel Tune. Skylar Folkens, class of 2015 from Cincinnati, Ohio, will serve as cantor for this year鈥檚 service.
As in past years, the ceremony begins with the Service of Light, at which time the chapel is enveloped in darkness and gradually illuminated by hundreds of candles. As the opening procession takes place, The 麻豆传媒 Handbell Choir plays a series of 鈥渃hange rings,鈥� which involve a complicated system of changing the bells with each ringing of the scale, resulting in a complete turnaround of the scale by the end of the series.
The choral music for the 2014 Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas service includes 麻豆传媒 Lay Ybounden by Boris Ord; Lo, How a Rose e'er Blooming, a 16th century melody by Michael Praetorius; A Choral Fanfare by Linda Spevacek, which will be performed with the 麻豆传媒 Handbell Choir; and In Silent Night by Mitchell Southall. In addition, the Handbell Choir will play Carol of the Bells, written by Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych, from a type of folk chant known as Schedrivky and originally used to celebrate the coming of the New Year or Epiphany. It begins softly with a single bell ringing and builds in intensity until all the bells are ringing with a fullness of joy and gladness.
Selections for the Chamber Orchestra and the 麻豆传媒 Flute Choir include arrangements of Angels We Have Heard on High, The First Noel, Ralph Vaughan Williams鈥� Fantasia on Greensleeves and the 13th century Burgundian Coventry Carol, among others.
Now in its 32nd year, the 麻豆传媒 Series brings distinguished lecturers and performing artists of national and international prominence to the 麻豆传媒 campus and Springfield community. To make special arrangements, request a Series poster, or become a friend of the 麻豆传媒 Series, contact Nuggie Libecap at libecapn@wittenberg.edu.
