This year’s theme is “He is Coming Soon,” which encompasses the major elements between Advent and Christmas according to Erik Zinter, an assistant professor of Music who helped choose the theme and the selections and will direct the Wittenberg Choir and Wittenberg Singers.
“What I love is it tells a story through music. We can take the listener on a journey through creative elements,” Zinter said.
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He likened Advent to a sense of waiting and becoming impatient reflected in longing in some of the music, and Christmas in extreme joy through different music. We’re reassured of the birth of Christ but have to wait and the music plays off of this.
One of Zinter’s goals is to introduce songs the audience may not be familiar with. He’s selected a diverse set including a Nordic hymn and an African freedom song.
Music will include “Spirit Moving over Chaos,” “Nimrod,” “All Creatures of Our God and King” and “Where Riches is Everlastingly” among them. He assured there will also be other familiar seasonal favorites during other parts of the program.
“One of my joys, personally, is to balance all of that so it will challenge the audience to maybe find a new favorite that speaks to them,” said Zinter.
The program will have familiar local performers along with several campus groups including the Wittenberg Chamber Orchestra led by visiting director Katherine Harford; Wittenberg’s IMANI Gospel Choir, directed by Kent Brooks, adjunct instructor of music; a faculty brass quartet with adjunct instructors David Leapley, Colvin Bear, Denver Seifried and Andrew Jones; and David Crean of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Kettering as service organist. Adjunct instructor Laurie Smith will accompany the choirs on piano.
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A variety of readers were chosen for the readings by Pastor Rachel Tune including Wittenberg staff, students and a local pastor.
“During our service we really try to represent a different constituency,” said Zinter. “It’s relatively unique to go with many different minds and influences. Since Christmas is a season of community, that’s what we try to incorporate.”
The evening will conclude with a candlelight finale.
The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and pre-service music will begin at 7. For more information, go to www.wittenberg.edu/about-wittenberg/art/wittenberg-series.
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