On Dec. 6, the Biola Conservatory of Music hosted two concerts for their annual Christmas Concert at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The Biola Symphonic Winds, the Symphony Orchestra, the University Chorus and Chorale, along with other smaller groups and solo artists, joined together to perform two concerts, each featuring 20 pieces. These included Christmas classics and carols like “O Holy Night” and “Angels We Have Heard On High,” each reflecting the spirit of Christmas with their own combination of enchanting vocals and triumphant instruments.
Sharing in the message of peace with the voices of both young and old reinforced the importance of fellowship across boundaries. The audience was invited to sing along during lyrical pieces like “Joy to the World,” a surprising break from traditional concert etiquette, where one is expected to stay silent.
Aside from musical performances, there were also narration breaks where Luke Bona, a senior Musical Theatre major at Biola, mixed dramatic readings of scripture with the message of the good news of Jesus’ birth, providing a meaningful bridge between songs.
Especially during this Advent season, the theme of the coming of “God With Us” was highlighted by Biola Director and Conductor of Chorale Dr. Shawna Stewart, who was also the concert producer.
“I wanted this show to be about the fulfillment of Old Testament scripture and Prophecy,” said Stewart, who also conducted “All is Well” and other Chorale pieces during the concert.
One example of this theme of coming is Senior Classical Piano Performance major Isaiah Burton, who arranged a moving rendition of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” as a piano solo with influences from multiple classical composers.
“The verse that I set the music to is talking about a time when the word that God spoke by his prophets would be fulfilled,” he said. He particularly stressed building on the third verse to “capture the fulfillment of prophecy…about the birth of Christ.”
Furthermore, many of the pieces were arranged by students and staff, whether tailored to include audience singing or even choosing specific songs that spoke to them.
Biola Symphony Orchestra Conductor Yoon Jae Park had a solo piece with “Greensleeves,” while “I Wonder As I Wander” contrasted an enchanting soli between Violinist Anna Krahn, collaborative pianist Carol Hughes, and the University Chorale, creating a heavy and somber mood.
Sometimes a song moves us in ways that reach us deeper than we expect. For Dr. Stewart, “All Is Well” was that song. She first heard the arrangement during the Belmont Christmas Special last year with her father-in-law, who is living with Alzheimer’s.
“We’ll be losing my father-in-law to Alzheimer’s soon,” she said. “And last year, it was already difficult at that time, and when I listened to that beautiful arrangement, I thought, that is an incredible piece of music.” What began as a personal moment of comfort ended up fitting perfectly with the theme of God with us—because, as the song reminds us, all is well because Jesus came.
Hopefully, during this holiday season we can gain a deeper understanding of the meaning behind the songs and carols about which we sing and reawaken a new sense of the miracle about which we sing. Christmas music has a special emphasis for all to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
For Dr. Stewart, music can always move us to think more deeply about Jesus and our need for salvation in this season.
“I do hope that they feel a sense of peace, but I also hope they have just renewed joy in Jesus’ birth and saving grace.”
If you want to be a part of concerts like this, you don’t have to be a music major to sing or play in a Biola ensemble. Also, many ensembles even offer a scholarship as well.
If interested, instrumentalists can contact Dr. Meyers ([email protected]); vocalists contact Dr. Stewart ([email protected]).
