Baker Candlelight Vespers to return for 85th year

Archive for Friday, December 4, 2015

Baker University will present to performances Sund of its traditional Candlelight Vespers.

December 4, 2015

For the 85th consecutive year, Baker University will offer the community an early December holiday gift with the annual Christmas Candlelight Vespers.

“It’s our gift to the community,” said Cathy Crispino, Baker director of choral ensembles. “We’re hopeful, enough people can take an hour from their busy holiday schedules to come and be reminded of the beauty of the season.

“There will be traditional pieces but some newer works, as well. The audience will be invited to sing along on some of the traditional pieces.”

This year’s Candlelight Vespers will be at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday at Rice Auditorium on Baker’s Baldwin City campus. Admission is free.

The two hourlong performances will feature the Baker Community Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, University Orchestra and Trombone Choir, Crispino said. In addition, Baker President Lynn Murray will read a poem appropriate for the holidays at Vespers.

Highlights will include the opening set of selections form Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols.” Crispino said Kansas University Music Department instructor Erin Wood would provide accompaniment on the harp on that opening set and other selections during the performances.

One of the new pieces will be based on the Howard Thurman poem “The Work of Christmas,” which was put to music by Kansas University graduate Dan Forrest, Crispino said.

“There will be traditional pieces but some newer works, as well. The audience will be invited to sing along on some of the traditional pieces.”

This year’s Candlelight Vespers will be at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday at Rice Auditorium on Baker’s Baldwin City campus. Admission is free.

One of the new pieces will be based on the Howard Thurman poem “The Work of Christmas,” which was put to music by Kansas University graduate Dan Forrest, Crispino said.