Dordt University’s Music Department will present "Christmas at Dordt: The Word Became Flesh" on Saturday, December 6, at 7 p.m. in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. This reimagined Service of Lessons and Carols features Christmas choral and orchestral music enhanced by lighting and narration.
On Saturday, December 6 at 7 p.m., Dordt University’s Music Department will host a Christmas production in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. The event, “Christmas at Dordt: The Word Became Flesh,” is a reimagining of the traditional Service of Lessons and Carols, seamlessly blending beautiful and challenging Christmas choral and orchestral music with creative lighting and narration.
“This concert will be a more elaborate and multi-layered production than previous Dordt Christmas concerts,” says Director of Choral Activities at Dordt Dr. Ryan Smit. “It will feature music performed by the 250+ student musicians of the Dordt choirs and Chamber Orchestra separately and together, from the stage and around the auditorium; dramatic readings by Dordt theatre professors Laurel Koerner and Jason Vande Brake; lighting enhancements and projections; and opportunities for the audience to join in singing.”
The planning and artistic direction of the concert have been guided by a creative team composed of:
Musically, the program features an array of choral and orchestral works. Highlights include two Christmas carol arrangements by Dan Forrest with orchestra; the first movement from Vivaldi’s Gloria; the Bach double choir motet “Komm Jesu Komm”; Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre; a new multi-chorus arrangement of While by the Sheep; and other works by Rosephanye Powell, Pavel Chesnokov, Egil Hovland, Arcangelo Correlli, John Rutter, Kim Andre Arnesen, Paul Manz, and others.
Ultimately, the event aims to inspire audience members to contemplate the wonder of God’s salvation plan through the birth, life, and sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ through the gifts of music and collaboration.
“I am eager for the audience to experience the summation of all of the parts of the production contributing in beautiful and meaningful ways to the overall purpose of glorifying our Creator God and celebrating the incomprehensible gift of His Son to become flesh and free us from our sins,” adds Smit.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
“John’s visionary leadership and contagious optimism left a lasting impact on the Dordt community,” said Brandon Huisman, vice president for advancement and marketing. “He brought joy and purpose to his work, and his influence is evident across campus today.”
Related Events