Well everyone, I was supposed to sing in Christmas Vespers, but that didn’t happen due to my ongoing recuperation from a vocal chord nodule.
Then, I was supposed to go watch Vespers on Saturday night, but that didn’t happen due to a debilitating migraine that kept me in bed all day.
I guess Vespers and I just weren’t meant to be this year. Bummer, right?
However, I have heard nothing but great things from the people who were able to participate and go to watch! I wish I could have had a part in it, but luckily I have two more years ahead of me in choir to give me more chances to participate in this awesome Hope tradition.
In case you don’t know, Vespers is Hope’s Christmas concert. It is a service made up of both traditional Christmas carols and less familiar anthems which come together to form an experience that celebrates the coming of the King and is an awesome way to start off the Christmas season! Many people come from far and wide to see Vespers each year, and it is a hallmark performance of Hope’s Symphonette, Chapel Choir, and College Chorus, along with other small musical ensembles and organists.
While I did not get to witness the performance in person, I have been listening to Chapel Choir rehearse all semester and there is no doubt in my mind that they sounded absolutely heavenly. They sang pieces that they sing each year (“O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “And the Child Grew”), familiar works (Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”), and some pieces that were likely less familiar to most of the audience as well. It was an outstanding repertoire that I’m sure was a treat for each person to listen to.
I enjoyed being in Vespers as a member of College Chorus last year, and I am looking forward to more experiences with it in the future!
What are some of your favorite ways to open up the Christmas season? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, or send me an email at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu! Thanks for reading!
“But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
Luke 2:10-11