by Anna Grace Galkin, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University will host the 21st annual Community Christmas Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Dixon Ministry Center. This event is free and open to the public. The concert will also be livestreamed.
After last year’s brief hiatus due to COVID-19, Cedarville will resume its much-loved community tradition, displaying the talents of more than 150 Cedarville students through the performance of the choir, orchestra, jazz band and small ensembles.
Dr. Bruce Curlette, professor of music and organizer of the Christmas concert, is excited for the debut of a new ensemble, the Madrigal Choir. “This is a group of 21 elite singers that will perform a transcendent work called ‘O Radiant Dawn,’" he explained.
The Women’s Choir and the Jazz Band will co-perform a gospel-style interpretation of Luke 2:13 through a song called “And Suddenly.” The Harp Ensemble will perform, and the night will culminate in the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” featuring the combined choirs and orchestra.
Curlette hopes that the beauty of the musical performance will showcase not only the artistry of the students but also the message of the Christmas story, which will be read by Anna Porter, assistant director for the study abroad program.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Bachelor of Arts in Music, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.