North Park University Ensembles Highlight Dec. 4 'Festival of Lessons and Carols'

News provided by

Nov 22, 2011, 06:17 ET

CHICAGO, Nov 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Park University ensembles, joined by other Chicago-area student groups and professional musicians, will lead the University's traditional Advent and Christmas worship, "A Star is Shining: A Festival of Lessons and Carols," Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. The event will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 4432 N. Troy St., Chicago.

More than 700 people attended last year's program, and more are expected this year. Admission is free, however, the University is asking attendees to reserve tickets because of limited seating at http://www.northpark.edu/News/Featured-Events/A-Festival-of-Lessons-and-Carols. About 200 singers and instrumentalists will lead the 90-minute worship program, said Dr. Julia Davids, director of choral activities, North Park University School of Music. "This is a wonderful event provided as an outreach to the greater North Park community, and it highlights the incredible music of North Park University's students," she said.

Lessons and carols is a traditional format first used in The Church of England in the late 1800s. Today, many different Christian churches have embraced the format of telling the Advent and Christmas story through biblical readings surrounded by music, Davids said. The program's title and content was inspired by the poem, "Put Memory Away," written by Elizabeth Jennings, Davids said. It is set to music by British contemporary composer Bob Chilcott.

Dr. David Parkyn, North Park University President, will lead the festival's opening prayer, followed by Father Joseph Tito, Our Lady of Mercy Church, who will read the First Lesson from Genesis. Other Scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments will be read by University faculty and leaders, interspersed with choir and orchestra performances. The festival closes with "Joy to the World!," and includes the congregation and all ensembles.

North Park University ensembles in the Festival include the University Choir and the Chamber Singers, both directed by Davids; Gospel Touring Choir, directed by Dr. Helen Hudgens; Women's Chorale, directed by Thomas Tropp; and the Lessons and Carols Orchestra, directed by Dr. Tom Zelle. The Chicago Children's Choir – Albany Park Division, directed by Youna Cho, will sing a pre-service recital begin at 3:30 p.m., and will sing in the main program. The YOURS Orchestra from Hibbard Elementary School, Chicago, will perform as well. The Festival organist is Michael Gagne, a North Park University senior.

SOURCE North Park University