The ÍøÆسԹÏ-Webb University Department of Music invites the communities of ÍøÆسԹÏ-Webb, Boiling Springs, and greater Cleveland County to the 2026 celebration of Festival of Lights. This beloved annual event features a joyful selection of Christmas classics and holiday favorites performed by our talented students and faculty.
Admission is $15.
The first 50 students to reserve their tickets through Linda Lee in the Department of Music ([email protected]) will receive free admission to the performance. Act fast to claim yours.
A Note from the Conductor
“We are so excited for this year’s Festival of Lights, which will kick off the 2026 Christmas season here at ÍøÆسԹÏ-Webb. The Department of Music is honored to usher in this most cherished of seasons with GWU and the greater Cleveland County community. This year’s program is sure to delight as the ÍøÆسԹÏ-Webb Choirs and Orchestra present selections by beloved composers like Dan Forrest and John Rutter, lead hymn sings on Advent favorites arranged by the Englishman David Willcocks, and explore the Celtic traditions of Christmas with selections by composers like Benjamin Britten, Michael McGlynn, and Karen Marrolli. Of course, it wouldn’t be Festival of Lights without a little hot chocolate, cookies, and fellowship after the tree lighting in front of Tucker Student Center! We are grateful for our sponsors, who help make this special evening possible for our community. Come join us on Thursday, December 3 in Dover Theatre in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center for the beloved ÍøÆسԹÏ-Webb University tradition of the Festival of Lights.“
Share photos of your decorations, Christmas lights, and GWU spirit home for the holidays using #GWUfestivalOfLights
WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER Nathaniel J. Evans, University President
A CHRISTMAS HALLELUJAH – ORCHESTRA Tom Fettke; b. 1941
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL – CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA arr. Dan Forrest; b. 1978
MICAH 5:2 – Dr. Josh Parrott, Vice President for Christian Life & Service
DING DONG! MERRILY ON HIGH arr. Howard Cable, ed. Henry Leck b. 1920, b. 1946
O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM – WEBB CHORALE Ivo Antognini; b. 1963
IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR – AUDIENCE, CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA arr. John Rutter, b. 1945
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL – CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA arr. Trevor Manor; b. 1985
ISAIAH 9:6-7 – Dr. Josh Parrott
AROUND THE WORLD AT CHRISTMAS TIME – ORCHESTRA arr. Bruce Chase; 1912-2001
GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN arr. Philip Kern; b. 1957
VENI, VENI EMMANUEL – GARDNER SINGERS Michael John Trotta; b. 1978
LUKE 2:1-7 – Dr. Josh Parrott
JOY TO THE WORLD! – AUDIENCE, CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA arr. John Rutter
THE ROSE – Ola Gjeilo; b. 1978
LUX AURUMQUE – CONCERT CHOIR Eric Whitacre; b. 1970
WHILE SHEPARDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS – CHOIRS arr. Craig Courtney; b. 1948
SILENT NIGHT – CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA arr. Peter Anglea; b. 1988
LUKE 2:8-20 – Dr. Josh Parrott
CLOSING PRAYER – Dr. Josh Parrott
Welcome, Opening Prayer: Downs
Fiesta de Navidad: Orchestra / Sparti
Angels We Have Heard on High: Choirs, Orchestra / Cheney
Scripture 1 – Titus 2:11: Parrott
Christmastide: Webb Chorale / Johnson
O magnum mysterium: Webb Chorale/ Johnson
Hark! the herald angels sing: Audience, Choirs, Orchestra / Cheney
Sussex Carol: Choirs, Orchestra / Rice
Scripture 2 – Isaiah 9:6-7: Parrott
Greensleeves: Orchestra / Sparti
O Little Town of Bethlehem: ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Singers / Rice
That Old-Fashioned Christmas: ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Singers / Rice
Scripture 3 – Luke 1:1-7: Parrott
The First Nowell: Audience, Choirs, Orchestra / Cheney
This little babe: Concert Choir / Cheney
Gabriel’s Message: Concert Choir / Cheney
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: Choirs / Rice
Silent Night: Choirs, Orchestra / Johnson
Scripture 4 – Luke 2:8-20: Parrott
Closing Prayer: Parrott
WELCOMEÂ AND OPENING PRAYERÂ – Dr. William M. Downs
CHRISTMAS EVE / SARAJEVP 12/24Â (arr. Bob Phillips; 1953) – ORCHESTRA
±·°¿·¡³¢Ìý(Brad Holmes; 1956) – CHOIRS
MICAH 5:2Â -Dr. Josh Parrott, Vice President for Christian Life and Service
DECK THE HALLS (IN 7/8) (James McKelvy; 1917-2003) – WEBB CHORALE
HOW GREAT OUR JOY! (Craig Courtney; b. 1948) – WEBB CHORALE
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL* (arr. David Wilcocks) – AUDIENCE, CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY (arr. Dan Forrest; b. 1978) – CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
MATHEW 1:18–25 – Dr. Josh Parrot
OH HOLY NIGHT (arr. Calvin Custer; 1939-1998) – ORCHESTRA
GOIN’ TO BETHLEHEM (Jay Althouse; b. 1951) – GARDNER SINGERS
ADVENT – CRAIG COURTNEY
GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN* (arr. David Willcocks) – AUDIENCE, CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
MAGNIFICAT (Joshua Cheney; b. 1987) – GRACE SCHIEFEN, CONDUCTOR
GAUDETE! (arr. Michael Engelhardt; b. 2952) – CONCERT CHOIRS
SILENT NIGHT (arr. Dan Forrest) – CHOIRS, ORCHESTRA
CLOSING PRAYER* – Dr. Josh Parrott
*Those who are able, please stand.
