Submitted

A holiday ensemble of more than 250 Oklahoma City University singers and orchestral musicians will celebrate the annual Christmas Vespers concert Dec. 10 and 11 in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel on N.W. 23^rd Street between Blackwelder and Kentucky avenues. An organ and orchestral prelude begins at 7:30 p.m. and the main program begins at 8 p.m. each evening.

The OCU tradition, now in its 32nd year, culminates in a candlelight finale. This year’s theme is “The Word Appears Among Us” featuring former Miss America Jane Jayroe Gamble as narrator.

Tickets are $12, available at the door or in advance from www.okcu.edu/tickets or (405) 208-5227.

“The program is designed to inspire and comfort people during the Advent season and allow a sense of wonder and joy to enter their lives,” said Judith Willoughby, associate director of choral activities and the Wanda L. Bass Choral Chair.

The performance includes carol arrangements from France and Russia along with excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, the oratorio “St. Paul” by Mendelssohn, Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium” and Tavener’s “The Lamb.”

“This program blends familiar carols for the audience with scripture, poetry and some of the greatest seasonal music of all time,” said Randi Von Ellefson, director of choral activities at the Bass School of Music. “There are moments of grandeur and power as well as contemplative interludes of sheer beauty and quiet.”

The concert will feature Melissa Plamann, university organist, as well as the OCU Symphony Orchestra and four OCU vocal ensembles: the 52-member University Singers; Ad Astra, the 82-voice women’s choir; the 50-member University Men’s Chorus and the 36 singers of the Chamber Choir.

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