OCU to blend old, new with Christmas concerts
Oklahoma City University invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with “Christmas Vespers” at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City, 1001 NW 25.
More than 250 singers and orchestra musicians will perform a celebratory concert featuring organ, scripture readings, poetry, congregational singing of favorite carols and a candlelit finale.
Performers will include university organists Melissa Plamann and the OCU Vespers Orchestra, under the direction of Jeffrey Grogan. Susan Barber, the university’s former provost, will narrate the 39th annual event.
“Every ‘Vespers’ we try to do something a little different,” said Randi Von Ellefson, director of choral activities. “This year will be a perfect blend of the traditional and the new.”
A musical prelude will be 30 minutes before each concert, featuring student organists and the Oklahoma City University Flute Choir, under the direction of Parthena Owens.
The concerts will open with a 2017 work by David Rasbach, “We Shall Light a Thousand Candles,” followed by an orchestral version of “We Three Kings” and three movements from “Jubilate Deo — Rejoice in God” by Dan Forrest.
The evening will conclude with “Night of Silence,” the traditional candlelight recessional inspired by “Silent Night.” Ellefson and Tony Gonzalez will lead the choirs.
Tickets are $15 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to okcu.edu/tickets.