Springfield, Ohio â The 2016-17 Wittenberg Series continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, with the annual Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas service at Wittenberg Universityâs Weaver Chapel. The event is free and open to the public, with pre-service music beginning at 7 p.m.
The theme of the service is âBefore the Marvel of this Nightâ based on a choral piece of the same name. Music will be provided by more than 125 musicians, including the Wittenberg Choir and the Wittenberg Singers directed by Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Erik Zinter, the Wittenberg Handbell Choir directed by Professor Emerita of Music Trudy Faber, and the Wittenberg Chamber Orchestra directed by Associate Professor of Music Brandon Jones. University Organist and Adjunct Instructor of Music David Crean and Adjunct Instructor Laurie Smith, piano, will accompany the choirs.
The chapel will be prepared by David P. and Carol Matevia Endowed University Pastor Rachel Tune. Readers come from faculty, staff and the community. Among this yearâs readers for the service will be Michael Collier, son of Matthew Collier, professor of biology, and Kristen Collier, director of community service. Ella Zinter, the daughter of Erik Zinter, will sing a solo on the opening verse of âOnce in Royal Davidâs City.â Other readers include Mary Jo Zembar, interim provost and professor of psychology; Rev. Larry Grunden, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Springfield; Patrick Reynolds, assistant professor of theatre and dance; Mary Lasits, senior associate director of leadership giving and an ELCA diaconal minister; and Jessica Hamm â17, president of the Wittenberg Choir.
As in past years, the ceremony begins with a Procession of Light, at which time the chapel is enveloped in darkness and gradually illuminated by the lighting of hundreds of candles. The music for the processional will be âThis is the Truth Sent from Aboveâ by Ralph Vaughn Williams, sung by the Wittenberg Choir with Anna Fox â19, soloist, alternating with a series of âchange ringsâ by the Wittenberg Handbell Choir, as Weaver Chapel slowly becomes illuminated.
Other choral music in the 2016 Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas service includes a set of German carols, âIn dulici jubiloâ and âRejoice, Rejoice this Happy Morn.â A third German carol, âVom Himmel Hoch,â will be performed by the bell choir. A congregational singing of âHark the Herald Angels Singâ will also take place.
Instrumental music will include Ralph Vaughan Williams' âFantasia on Greensleevesâ and âO Come, O Come Emmanuelâ for orchestra. Mary Beth Bechler â17 will again provide a solo on the harp of âI Wonder as I Wander.â Among the pieces the Handbell Choir will play are âA Pastoral Christmas,â âO, Sanctissima,â and the Advent hymn âSavior of the Nations Come.â
The service will conclude with a second lighting of the candles as the choir sings âNight of Silence,â during which the congregation joins in for âSilent Night.â Crean will play a postlude by David Wilcocks, âFinale on âHark, the Herald Angels Sing.â
Now in its 34th year, the Wittenberg Series brings distinguished lecturers and performing artists of national and international prominence to the Wittenberg campus and Springfield community. To make special arrangements, request a Series poster, or become a friend of the Wittenberg Series, contact Lisa Watson at WatsonL4@wittenberg.edu. All Wittenberg Series events are free and open to the public.
Additional 2016-17 Wittenberg Series Events:
- Monday, Jan. 16, 2017: żŰżŰ´ŤĂ˝ Luther King Jr. Convocation, 11:15 a.m., Weaver Chapel featuring Dorothy Tillman, Civil Rights Activist and former Chicago Alderman.
- Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017: Concert with Goldstein, Peled, Fiterstein Trio, 7:30 p.m., Weaver Chapel.
- Wednesday, March 15, 2017: - IBM Endowed Lecture in the Sciences, 7:30 p.m., Bayley Auditorium featuring Valentina Salapura, IBM.
- Friday, March 31, 2017: William A. Kinnison Endowed Lecture, 7:30 p.m., Bayley Auditorium featuring Michael Blakey
