College of Fine Arts Hosts Christmas Festival

This past December, the College of Fine Arts Department of Music presented their annual Christmas Festival under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Holcomb. The program, titled Veni, Emmanuel, included performances by the DBU Grand Chorus, University Chorale, and the Legacy Choir. These musical groups consisted of undergraduate students accompanied by a full 42-piece professional orchestra.

The title of the program translates as “Come, Emmanuel” and every piece celebrated the incarnation of Christ. The theme was inspired by a painting by Jim Hutchinson, Director of Graphic Design Studies, which depicts the wonder of the shepherds as they worshiped the infant Christ at the manger.

While the Christmas Festival served as a showcase of talent, the primary goal of the show was to bring the audience to a place of gratitude and awe of how God rescued us from the sin we chose.

“The students spend the entire semester preparing musical selections that usher in the season and retell the story of God's great gift to redeem the world,” shared Dr. Holcomb, Director of Choral Studies.

Though the annual Christmas Festival is primarily centered around musical elements, the music students showcased their ability to portray the deeper meaning of the lyrics in multiple movements. To the tune of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, students filed down the aisles holding candle sticks that shone throughout the Pilgrim Chapel. Mary, Joseph, an angel, and the Three Wise Men even made an appearance as students reenacted the scene at Bethlehem.

“The event really ceases to be a concert and truly becomes a worship experience for the performers and audience alike. This Christmas Festival is our collective witness of God's grace,” explained Dr. Holcomb.