Augustana School of Music Invites Public to 87th Annual Christmas Vespers Concert

In collaboration with the Office of Faith & Spiritual Life, the Augustana School of Music (SoM) invites the public to join the university community for its 2024 Christmas Vespers concert, "Prepare the Way." Through music, word and light, Augustana will embrace the spirit of Advent and reflect on the joyous anticipation of the Christmas season.

In-person performances will take place at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, as well as 4 p.m. on Dec. 7. In addition, Vespers will be available for viewing via a 1-time livestream on Augustana's YouTube Channel on Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m.

"Augustana Christmas Vespers, now in its 87th year, is a cherished tradition that unites our community in celebration and reflection," said Dr. Peter Folliard, dean of the Augustana School of Music. "Vespers is more than a concert; it is an expression of our values and musical legacy, providing both our students and audience with a moment to pause, reflect and prepare their hearts for the holiday season. We are thrilled to welcome the public to join us for this special tradition, both in person at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and online through a livestreamed performance - expanding our reach and connecting us all in the spirit of hope and peace."

This year's Christmas Vespers will feature Augustana's choirs, percussion ensemble and the Augustana Brass Choir.

"Augustana's Christmas Vespers will bring the spirit of the season alive with performances by the Augustana Choir, Angelus, VikingKor, Bach Collegium, Brass Choir and Percussion Ensemble, all accompanied by Matt Tylutki (chapel organist) on the mighty pipe organ at Gloria Dei," Dr. Russell Svenningsen, director of vocal studies and conductor of The Augustana Choir, said. "Audiences will join in singing cherished carols in sparkling new arrangements by Augustana's own Jeremy Hegg (instructor of piano), alongside works by Poulenc, Mendelssohn and Gabrieli, as well as modern pieces by Jocelyn Hagen, Bob Chilcott and Gerre Hancock. The students are hard at work right now preparing the way for a powerful worship and musical experience."

Augustana has once again partnered with Thrivent for an initiative that supports the School of Music and its programming. Each year, from November through December, for every $1 donated to the School of Music, Thrivent will match $1 up to a total of $15,000.

After each performance, holiday cookies and hot cocoa will be provided, courtesy of Thrivent.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit augie.edu/vespers.

About Christmas Vespers

One of Augustana's oldest and most beloved traditions made its debut on Dec. 18, 1938, when the Augustana Choir presented a service of Yuletide music to a full house in the gymnasium/chapel. This Vespers service ushered in the Advent and Christmas celebrations on campus, a tradition that continues to the present.

The first Vespers service was presented in three parts: The Prophecy of the Coming of the Christ Child, the Birth of the Savior and Praise of the Newborn Child. The Augustana Choir sang a majority of the program, but also included a women's trio, male quartet, male duet and female solo.

Christmas Vespers continued in this basic format for the next few years, evolving quickly into one of the college's most popular and well-attended programs.