A Lenoir-Rhyne Christmas celebrates university history and holiday traditions

Lenoir-Rhyne University will present its annual holiday concert, “A Lenoir-Rhyne Christmas,” Dec. 3-5 in Grace Chapel. Tickets are on sale at tickets.lr.edu for $15 per person.

The annual musical celebration brings together sacred choral music, instrumental ensembles and familiar carols to welcome the Christmas season. Four performances are scheduled in Grace Chapel:

• Thursday, Dec. 3 – 6:30 p.m.
•  Friday, Dec. 4 – 6:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, Dec. 5 – 5 p.m. 
• Saturday, Dec. 5 – 7:30 p.m. 

Connecting history with the season

This year's theme is “Then FLING the Gates WIDE open!”  

“As Lenoir-Rhyne celebrates its 135th anniversary, we wanted to connect the university's history with the Advent and Christmas season,” said Ryan Luhrs, Ph.D., director of choral activities. “The opening hymn, ‘Prepare the Royal Highway,’ arranged by LR Professor of Music Emeritus Paul D. Weber, includes the words ‘Then fling the gates wide open,’ which echo the refrain of our alma mater, ‘Fling wide the red and black.’ It's a natural connection between the Christmas story and our university's identity.”

The program also looks ahead to the A Cappella Choir's March tour of the Czech Republic and Germany, featuring music representing both regions. A special arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy,” incorporating marching snare drums, will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Spirit of LR marching band.

Together with traditional Christmas hymns and carols, these selections highlight the university's musical heritage and the range of traditions represented in this year's program.

Performers and Details

Performers include the A Cappella Choir, College Singers, Brass Ensemble, members of the Spirit of LR marching band and additional instrumentalists, accompanied by piano and Grace Chapel's pipe organ. Faculty collaborators include Luhrs; Jeana Neal Borman, collaborative artist and pianist; Cory Westby ’08, organist and university cantor; Vern Kinard, M.Div. ’18, interim university pastor; and Christopher Nigrelli, DMA, professor of music and leader of the brass ensemble.

Seating is limited, and tickets are required for all four performances. General admission tickets are $15 each and will be available beginning Wednesday, Nov. 4, at tickets.lr.edu. Purchases are limited to four tickets per person. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and no standby line will be offered. All ticket sales are final.