MANSFIELD, PA— “O Wondrous Mystery” will be the theme of the annual Mansfield University holiday choral concerts on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 at 2:30 p.m. in Steadman Theatre.
More than 150 singers and instrumentalists in the Women’s Chorus, Men’s Chorus, Festival Chorus, Chamber Singers, and the Concert Choir will take part. Peggy Dettwiler, producer and director, has programmed music from historical classics to popular favorites that celebrate the seasons of Christmas and Hanukkah.
“O Wondrous Mystery” stems from the Latin chant, “O magnum mysterium.” Composers from Medieval times through the 21st century have been inspired by this text, which speaks about the birth of Jesus first seen by the animals in the manger and praise the mother Mary.
The choirs will share settings by Morten Lauridsen, William Hawley, and Kevin Memley as well works close to the topic by J. S. Bach, John Tavener, John Jacob Niles, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Charles Stanford.
The theme “O Wondrous Mystery” also describes the story of Hanukkah, which will be told in music sung by the Chamber Singers, Festival Chorus, and Concert Choir.
And the audience will enjoy singing familiar holiday carols with organ accompaniment by Vincent Lawrence, distinguished Mansfield University alumnus from Pittsburgh.
The dynamic finale, Arise, Your Light has Come, will be sung with organ, brass, and percussion and combined choirs surrounding the theatre. A winter village backdrop has been ordered to set the stage for a lovely evening.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $5 for children and are available online at music.mansfield.edu or by calling (570)662-4710.
MU students with ID will be admitted free.
Due to the popularity of the holiday concert, patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and arrive 30 minutes before concert time.
The concert is supported in part by student activity fees.