One performance will be in Orlando; tickets go on sale Oct. 1
Stetson University’s famous Christmas Candlelight concert is a tradition in DeLand that sees a packed house night after night at Stetson’s 700-seat Lee Chapel. This year, the School of Music is launching what it hopes will be a new tradition: one performance at First United Methodist Church in downtown Orlando.
This year, Stetson’s School of Music will honor the historic significance of the 200th anniversary of the writing of “Silent Night” by Austrian church musician Franz Gruber on Christmas Eve in 1818.
“Given the variety of carols, holiday anthems, and sacred works presented, it is most fitting that Stetson’s tradition will once again close with ‘Silent Night,’” said Tim Peter, D.M.A., director of choral activities and professor of music, who is currently serving as interim dean of the School of Music. “The audience will be ensconced with exciting and beautiful music surrounded by over 200 student musicians sharing their talents with their family and friends, our Stetson community in DeLand, and a new audience in greater Orlando.”
In addition to Peter, Stetson faculty collaborating on the concerts include Acting Director of Choral Activities Sandra Peter, D.M.A., who arranged the concert’s rendition of “Silent Night;” Andrew Larson, D.M.A., professor of music and associate director of choral activities; and Boyd Jones, D.M.A., professor of organ and university organist.
The Christmas Candlelight concerts are a holiday tradition that dates back more than 100 years. The spectacular production brings together three separate Stetson University School of Music choirs, the Chamber Orchestra, members of the Symphonic Band and the pipe organist. The four concert performances, this year Nov. 28-Dec. 1, typically sell out quickly.
Tickets for the 2018 Candlelight Concerts will go on sale Oct. 1, and can be purchased through the School of Music ticket website.
Stetson’s fall concert series is already underway and features a performance this weekend by the Chamber Orchestra on Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the fall and spring concert series – excluding the Christmas Candlelight concerts – are on sale now at the ticket website. The full schedule of School of Music performances includes many that are free and open to the public.
