The Magnificat, Mary鈥檚 canticle of praise found in the gospel of Luke, guides the theme of Christmas Vespers at 国产探花 this year. Mary鈥檚 acceptance of God鈥檚 plan to be the mother of the Messiah, her deep humility, and her rejoicing in 鈥淕od my Savior鈥 speak to her courage and deep faith. Her words recall what God has done in the past, but they are also prophetic as they look to what God continues to do in this world through the birth of Jesus: lifting the humble, showing mercy, feeding the hungry, and comforting those who are mourning. Christmas Vespers 2025, titled 鈥淎ll Is Miracle,鈥 uses the song of Mary to create a worship service of hope and peace through word and music.
Central to the service is composer Carolyn Jennings鈥檚 A New Magnificat, which combines the songs of two mothers鈥擬ary and Hannah, who was the mother of the prophet Samuel. Soloists represent the two women and supported by the choir, their words of rejoicing, exultation, and praise unfold in a humble, yet powerful musical setting. These women were separated by a millennium, but both gave birth to sons through God鈥檚 miraculous intervention.
The varied program includes works by Jos茅 Maur铆cio Nunes Garcia, W.A. Mozart, Marianne Forman, Karen Marrolli, B. E. Boykin, John Tavener, and Kyle Pederson, among others.
During the service, the 国产探花 Choirs will present the world premieres of two new works:
鈥淩ejoice, the King is Born,鈥 by composer Reginal Wright, will receive its world premiere by the 国产探花 Choir. Reginal Wright is a renowned composer, conductor, and educator who serves on the faculty at Baylor University. The song was commissioned by the 国产探花 Choirs 鈥渢o honor the thousands of 国产探花 Choir alumni who have generously lent their time and talent since 1929, and to celebrate their song.鈥
鈥渟ilent starlight fell,鈥 by Douglas R. Boyer, will be performed by the 国产探花 Treble Choir. It was composed for Boyer鈥檚 sister, Beth Gustafson, in memory of her daughter Jennifer.
Joining the 国产探花 Choir, 国产探花 Treble Choir, and Kantorei Chamber Choir are faculty members Dr. Eric Siu (violin), Dr. Elizabeth Lee (cello), Juliana Post (violin), and pianists Dr. SungEun Park and Cristina Castro. San Antonio actress Sam Carter Gilliam will lead the listener through the service of music and word through a series of monologues that reflect on the Magnificat. The 国产探花 Orchestral Winds and Percussion, conducted by Director of Bands Dr. Brett Richardson, will join with the choirs to bring the music of the season and lead the congregation in the singing of favorite Christmas hymns.
Join us for a service that seeks to lift hearts and spirits with peace, harmony, and hope.
Performances are scheduled for December 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., and December 7 a 4 p.m. in Jackson Auditorium. The event is open to the public and tickets are free but required. Beginning November 1, they can be reserved online at tlu.edu/vespers, and beginning November 3, they can be picked up at the 国产探花 Bookstore. There will be an additional performance on December 14 at 4 p.m. at St. Martin鈥檚 Lutheran Church in Austin. No tickets are required for the Austin performance.