Christmas is coming, and so are the Chorale and Sounds.
Taylor’s Chorale and Sounds will be welcoming in the Christmas season with their Christmas concert on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Euler Atrium.
The concert’s title is “Christ, the Apple Tree,” which is intended to recognize Christ as a sustainer and provider who withstands hardship and bears fruit, Heather Risher, a senior worship arts major and member of Chorale and Sounds, said.
The concert will feature non-traditional carols themed around hospitality, Reed Spencer, Music, Theatre and Dance department co-chair, associate professor of music and director of the Chorale and Sounds, said.
“So often, we can get used to hearing the Christmas story and even hearing these Christian tenets told over and over and over again,” Risher said, “but I think that if we do that without creativity, without life and exuberance, over and over again, then those words begin to lose their meaning.”
It is for this reason that the Chorale and Sounds will be presenting a variety of unique songs that are meant to draw out meaning from the Christmas story.
“The Best of Rooms” is one such song, and it evokes imagery of preparing space in one’s heart to welcome Christ, Kettie Olson, a sophomore psychology major and member of Chorale, said. The song identifies that Jesus deserves the best one can offer.
“The Rune of Hospitality,” similarly, serves as a reminder that Christ tends to present Himself in disguise, Spencer said. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is a reminder to receive Christ when He comes.
The namesake of the concert, “Christ, the Apple Tree,” identifies that one should rest on God and recognize the generous abundance that He provides, Olson said.
Part of the first verse is “The trees of nature fruitless be, compared with Christ the Apple Tree.”
The focus is on both the gifts one prepares for Christ and the reception of gifts from Christ’s own abundance, Spencer said.
“The Chorale and the Sounds are both singing songs about hospitality and giving Christ our best and finding goodness and fruitfulness in Him,” Olson said.
Following closely after Thanksgiving, this concert is meant to offer a time of reflection, she said. Given that the Christmas season is approaching, it is increasingly relevant to think about ways to turn to Jesus and welcome Him into all spaces.
The Chorale and Sounds will achieve this through a variety of styles of songs. From upbeat and jazzy songs to peaceful and reflective ones, the concert’s focus on hospitality toward God will be evident.
Chorale and Sounds already demonstrate hospitality to their members, and bonds have been formed among members through repeated rehearsals and extracurricular activities.
“In general, in both groups, you find a community so easily and so quickly,” Olson said. “Building those friendships and bonding over the music that we’re making is really special.”
She said Chorale and Sounds are special because the music they create unites diverse members. Risher said part of what brings the members together is how everyone has a role to play and everyone contributes.
This concert is also hospitable to attendees since it offers students a time to step back from studying for their finals, relax, experience Christmas, spend time with the Lord and focus on hospitality, which is not talked about often, Olson said.
“This will be a beautiful and interesting moment of advent, preparing for Christmas in a way that is not merely sentimental. It will lead us to consider Christmas with new imagery for entering the same story,” Spencer said. “The music is moving and beautiful, warm and hospitable. I believe it will wake us up to the beauty of Christmas in a deep way.”
