University of Portland presents Choral Christmas Vespers Concert, December 1 | University of Portland

University of Portland presents Choral Christmas Vespers Concert, December 1

Performing and Fine Arts

November 21, 2018

By Josie Hinke '22

The University Singers and the Women’s Chorale will ring in the holiday season with a selection of traditional songs at the Choral Christmas Vespers Concert on December 1st, at 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher at the University of Portland. Presented by the Department of Performing & Fine Arts, the University Singers will be directed by Dr. David De Lyser, associate professor of music, and professor Kathy Briggs will be conducting Bel Canto (women’s choir). The concert is free for members of the UP community and the general public, but requires tickets.

What: Choral Christmas Vespers Concert featuring the University Singers and Women’s Chorale

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018

Where: Chapel of Christ The Teacher, University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland

Admission: Free, but tickets are required and are available by calling 503.943.7228 or emailing brownke@up.edu.

The concert will feature selections by several renowned composers, including Michael Praetorius, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Kim André Arnesen, Ola Gjeilo, Libby Larsen, Arvo Pärt, Randall Stroope, Zoltan Kodaly, Dan Forrest, René Clausen, Pavel Tchesnokov and others. The selections,  well-known and less familiar,  are spiritual and sacred to the theme of Advent and the Christmas season. Dr. De Lyser is especially excited about the rendition of Dan Forrest’s “Hallelujah,” as conducted by student conducting associate Natalie Werner. The participating students are excited to perform Ola Gjeilo’s ‘The Ground’ and Kim André Arnesen’s ‘His Light In Us’.

After many years of being held at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Portland, this annual concert returns to campus in order to make it more accessible for attendees. Despite the change of venue, the concert will follow a similar format to the previous Advent concerts. The music will be interspersed with scriptural readings and audience hymns and carols. Dr. De Lyser invites the UP community to attend and join the festivities: “It's a chance to step away from the books, hear amazing music in a beautiful and sacred setting, and reflect on the meaning and spirit of the Christmas season.”