Holiday Concerts 2007
Join in the holiday festivities on our campuses. Many are very popular, so be sure to check for ticket availability.
Augsburg College, Minneapolis
Advent Vespers Celebration
Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 5 and 8 p.m. Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Advent Vespers celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season with traditional and contemporary hymns, anthems, and carols. The celebration is one of the largest holiday music events in the Twin Cities and combines over 300 participants; choirs, instrumentalists, readers, and a full liturgical party.
Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato
Christmas at Bethany Concert
Dec. 6-9, 4 p.m., Trinity Chapel
The Bethany Concert Choir and the Handbell Choir, the Mary Martha Singers, as well as the Bethany Concert Band join forces to perform sacred music of Christmas. The concerts are open to the public and the tickets are free. A free will offering is collected at each concert. Advance reservations are strongly recommended as these concerts are often filled to capacity. For reservations please call Bethany at 1-800-944-3066 (locally 344-7000).
Christmas Concert, Golden Valley
Dec. 1, 4 p.m., King of Grace Lutheran Church
RSVP by Nov. 20 for this free event by calling 800-944-3066 ex. 313 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or email Shannon.Reichel@blc.edu.
Bethel University
51st Festival of Christmas "Light of Light to Earth Descending: Carols of the Nations"
Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1, Benson Great Hall
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy for the true Light that enlightens all has come into the world! Jesus Christ’s birth is celebrated through the carols of the nations in this year’s annual Christmas celebration presented once again by Bethel’s talented student musicians.
College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph/Collegeville/Minneapolis
Celebrating the Season
Dec. 8, 8 p.m., Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis
Tickets available at the box office: 320-363-3577
Cherish the Ladies — A Celtic Christmas
Dec. 9, 4 and 7 p.m., Benedicta Arts Center
With their unique spectacular blend of instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture and puts it forth in an immensely humorous and entertaining package. Tickets 320-363-5777 or 320-363-3577.
Christmas at Saint John's Concert
Dec. 7, 8 p.m.; Dec. 8, 2 p.m., Great Hall, Saint John’s
Saint John’s hosts annual Christmas concerts. Tickets available at the box office: 320-363-3577
All College Choir Concert
Dec. 9, 4 p.m., Great Hall, Saint John’s
Minnesota Dance Theatre performs the Nutcracker Fantasy
Dec. 15, 2 and 7 p.m., Benedicta Arts Center
This extraordinary performance brings Loyce Houlton’s beautifully crafted choreography to the stage in a time-honored classic. Hear Tchaikovsky played live by the 72-piece College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by J. David Arnott, with vocal accompaniment by the regional girl’s choir, Cantabile, and the St. John’s Boys’ Choir.
College of St. Catherine, St. Paul
Candlelight Christmas Concert
Dec. 1, 8 p.m., Our Lady of Victory Chapel
The Women's Choir, along with the String Chamber Orchestra, presents music for the Advent and Christmas season. Directed by Patricia Connors and James Riccardo, the family concert includes something for everyone: serious choral literature, familiar seasonal s and an audience sing-along. Free admission.
Renaissance Madrigal Feastes
Dec. 7-8, 6:30 p.m., Coeur de Catherine Ballroom.
Tickets $40 [$35 each, when purchasing 8 or more]
A holiday tradition returns as the Madrigal Singers present an enchanting evening of music, feasting and pageantry. This fully costumed recreation of an Elizabethan Christmas feast finds guests dining on roast “boar,” toasting the hearty “Wassail” and being teased by the mischievous jester, all to the strains of Renaissance music for voices and instruments.
Katie McMahon's Celtic Christmas
Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., O'Shaughnessy Auditorium
Recently named the Minnesota Music Academy's best folk and acoustic artist, Katie McMahon will take you on a delightful musical journey to Ireland, playing beautiful traditional Irish carols interspersed with lively Irish dancing and stories.
College of St. Scholastica, Duluth
Handel’s Messiah Sing-along
December 18, 2007, 7:30 p.m., Mitchell Auditorium
Bring your friends, family and your voice to our 26th annual sing-along of Handel’s Messiah. You providethe singing and the St. Scholastica Center for Early Music Orchestra will provide the accompaniment. Shelley Gruskin directs this wonderful holiday event. Scores will be available for purchase at the door.
Concordia College, Moorhead/Minneapolis
Come to the Living Water
Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2, Memorial Auditorium
Dec. 6, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis
More than 400 student musicians in five choirs and symphony orchestra tell the Christmas story through well-loved traditional songs, as well as original compositions. Complementary artwork, complete with authentic environmental elements, will highlight creation, Advent and baptism. This creative installation will blend with the music and narration for a magnificent holiday production.
Concordia University, St. Paul
Let All Together Praise Our God
Nov. 30, Dec. 1-2, Graebner Memorial Chapel
Concordia's touring concert choir Christus Chorus, its chapel choir Jubilate, and its Handbell Ensemble will perform. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and non-CSP students through TicketWorks, 651-209-6689.
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter
Christmas in Christ Chapel 2007
Nov. 30, Dec. 1–2
The theme for the 35th annual Christmas in Christ Chapel celebration at Gustavus is "The Word Becomes Flesh." More than 350 students, faculty, and staff will present this celebration of Christ's birth through music, dance, spoken word, and prayer. Tickets remain for the 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 service only and are $15 per person. To order a ticket, call 507-933-7520 or go online.
Hamline University, St. Paul
A Cappella Choir Christmas Concert
Dec. 2, 4 p.m., Sundin Music Hall
The choir will perform festive traditional and modern settings of the Christmas season, joined by organist Helen Jensen. Freewill offering for the Choir's International Tour Fund. Contact: 651-523-2296.
Macalester College, St. Paul
Macalester Choir, Mac Singers, Womens' Choir, and Mens' Chorus Performances
Dec. 1, 8 p.m., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Robert Peterson, Director of Choral Activities, will be conducting works by Mendelssohn, Nystedt, Pärt, Hassler and others at the annual choirs. Admission is free and open to the public. Featured works of the evening include two new settings of a Russian and a Finnish folk song. Daniel Pickens-Jones, Student Director of the Macalester Choir will be conducting Veniki (Brooms) arranged by F. Rubstov, and sung in Russian. The Macalester Choir will also be previewing music being prepared for their January tour to Tokyo and Kyoto. The Men’s Chorus will perform Behold Man by Ron Nelson, and a new arrangement of Not While I’m Around from Sweeney Todd. Women’s Choir will be featuring three selections from Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols accompanied by harp. MAC Singers will perform Festival Sanctus by John Leavitt as a featured work.
Saint John’s University, Collegeville/Minneapolis
Christmas at Saint John's Concert
Dec. 7, 8 p.m.; Dec. 8, 2 p.m., Great Hall
Saint John’s hosts annual Christmas concerts. Tickets available at the box office: 320-363-3577
Celebrating the Season
Dec. 8, 8 p.m., Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis
Tickets available at the box office: 320-363-3577.
All College Choir Concert
Dec. 9, 4 p.m., Great Hall
Minnesota Dance Theatre performs the Nutcracker Fantasy
Dec. 15, 2 and 7 p.m., Benedicta Arts Center, College of Saint Benedict
This extraordinary performance brings Loyce Houlton’s beautifully crafted choreography to the stage in a time-honored classic. Hear Tchaikovsky played live by the 72-piece College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by J. David Arnott, with vocal accompaniment by the regional girl’s choir, Cantabile, and the St. John’s Boys’ Choir.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona
Lessons & Carols
Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m., Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels
The Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women's Choir perform their annual holiday tribute, interspered with readings and prayers. Order tickets online or call the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715.
Jazz Ensemble and Combo with Batucada Nossa Senhora
Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., Page Theatre
The 18-piece Saint Mary's University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will burn away any thoughts of snow when they perform with the exciting Chicago jazz-style vocalist Judi K. The percussion ensemble Bautucada Nossa Senhora will warm your hearts with the samba rhythms of South America and deep clave grooves from Cuba and Africa. Order tickets online or call the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715.
St. Olaf College, Northfield
2007 Christmas Festival
Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1-2 (Dec. 2 performance will be shown via satellite in selected movie theatres around the country)
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a service of hymns, carols, choral works and orchestral selections, is one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States. More than 12,000 students, alumni and friends of the college attend the four performances.
University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis
Noel! Sing We Noel!
Dec. 2, 4 and 8 p.m., Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis.
The concert will feature seven of the university's vocal and instrumental ensembles in a program of carols and traditional and contemporary music for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Performing ensembles will include the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Liturgical Choir, Women's Choir, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Brass Choir and Handbell Choir.