The first St. Olaf Christmas Festival was a Christmas program for the college community planned and directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf music department and the St. Olaf Choir, in 1912. Involving both choral singing and worship, the first festival reflected the same outgrowth of Christian conviction that the festival continues to celebrate today.
Now under the artistic direction of Anton Armstrong, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival involves the five conductors and nearly 500 musicians from the magnificent St. Olaf Orchestra and five of the college's choirs - the St. Olaf Choir, Chapel Choir, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Cantorei, and Viking Chorus. Over 16,000 students, alumni/ae, and friends of the college attend the four performances given on campus in early December, and thousands of others tune in to public television and radio broadcasts across the country.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.stolafrecords.com
Track List:
1. The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem - arr. Robert Scholz
2. Epilogue: The Flower - Bradshaw
3. Welcome All Wonders - Dirksen
4. What Wondrous Love - arr. Robert Scholz
5. Let All Mortal Flesh - arr. John Ferguson
6. Alleluia - Jean Berger
7. Make a Joyful Noise - Rene Clausen
8. Ave Maria - Franz Biebl
9. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - arr. Robert Scholz
10. In Thee is Gladness - arr. Daniel Kallman
11. Joy to the World - Lowell Mason arr. John Rutter
12. O Holy Child - Michael Cox
13. Candlelight Carol - John Rutter
14. Make We Merry on this Fest - Andrew Carter
15. Bergamasca - Respighi
16. Midnight Clear, Schulz-Widmar - arr. Robert Scholz
17. Carols for the Choirs - arr. Carolyn Jennings
18. Lullaby on Christmas Eve - F. Melius Christiansen
19. A Spotless Rose - Herbert Howells
20. African Noel - arr. Andre Thomas
21. And God Said: One Day Shall Dawn - Arthur Honneger
22. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - arr. Ferguson
23. Beautiful Savior - F. Melius Christiansen
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
Now under the artistic direction of Anton Armstrong, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival involves the five conductors and nearly 500 musicians from the magnificent St. Olaf Orchestra and five of the college's choirs - the St. Olaf Choir, Chapel Choir, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Cantorei, and Viking Chorus. Over 16,000 students, alumni/ae, and friends of the college attend the four performances given on campus in early December, and thousands of others tune in to public television and radio broadcasts across the country.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.stolafrecords.com
Track List:
1. The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem - arr. Robert Scholz
2. Epilogue: The Flower - Bradshaw
3. Welcome All Wonders - Dirksen
4. What Wondrous Love - arr. Robert Scholz
5. Let All Mortal Flesh - arr. John Ferguson
6. Alleluia - Jean Berger
7. Make a Joyful Noise - Rene Clausen
8. Ave Maria - Franz Biebl
9. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - arr. Robert Scholz
10. In Thee is Gladness - arr. Daniel Kallman
11. Joy to the World - Lowell Mason arr. John Rutter
12. O Holy Child - Michael Cox
13. Candlelight Carol - John Rutter
14. Make We Merry on this Fest - Andrew Carter
15. Bergamasca - Respighi
16. Midnight Clear, Schulz-Widmar - arr. Robert Scholz
17. Carols for the Choirs - arr. Carolyn Jennings
18. Lullaby on Christmas Eve - F. Melius Christiansen
19. A Spotless Rose - Herbert Howells
20. African Noel - arr. Andre Thomas
21. And God Said: One Day Shall Dawn - Arthur Honneger
22. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - arr. Ferguson
23. Beautiful Savior - F. Melius Christiansen
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- CLASSICAL: Contemporary
- WORLD: World Traditions
- MOOD: CHRISTMAS