Christmas Fest Features ‘Song of Angels’

Westmont hosts its 14th annual Christmas Festival, retelling the Christmas story by weaving narration with music from the Westmont Orchestra, College Choir, Chamber Singers and Choral Union on Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m., all at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave. Tickets for this year’s event, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo: The Song of the Angels,” cost $15 each and go on sale Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. at  westmont.edu/christmasfestival. Tickets are sold online only.

Each year the program tells the Christmas story in a fresh way and from a new perspective. “The theme is evocative of the transcendent joy of the Christmas story,” says director Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship. “You can expect many different iterations of the ‘Gloria’ of the angels to fill the evening this year that will fill hearts with wonder and joy.”

The orchestra opens the program with Rimsky Korsakoff’s grand “Christmas Polonaise,” followed by the choir’s soaring “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” in six parts by Thomas Weelkes.

“The program will also feature the Westmont Chamber Singers and Choral Union performing familiar carols, delightfully fresh compositions of the season, and some exciting music with African cultural roots,” Shasberger says.