Asbury Welcomes Community for Annual Songs of the Season Christmas Concert

November 11, 2024

The Asbury University Music and English Departments welcome the public to a free concert on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Asbury’s Hughes Auditorium. The event will feature seasonal music blended with readings of poetry and prose inspired by Advent and Christmas.

“Songs of the Season is a wonderful gift to the community,” said Asbury University President Dr. Kevin Brown. “It fosters an atmosphere that is both worshipful and sacred — attributes that characterize the best of the Advent season and our hope and celebration of Jesus Christ as Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).”

Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Nathan Miller ’05 serves as the orchestra director and coordinator of the event.

“This year’s concert will reflect on the mystery and majesty of the Messiah coming to earth as a humble baby in a manger,” Miller said. “This sense of humility and glory that come together in that moment have inspired artists, authors, and composers throughout the centuries. The orchestra and chorale will present selections from Handel’s Messiah, along with reflective pieces that help pull these ideas together.” 

Two student soloists will be featured, Grace Chang ’25 and Donovan Chung ’26, both of whom won their respective categories this fall at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition for the state of Kentucky.

“I particularly enjoy the collaboration with the English and Music Departments,” Miller said. “In my mind, this event embodies what is best about Asbury: It is an interdisciplinary liberal arts event created by students and faculty together, in a way that engages the heart and mind in reflection and worship of the Messiah.”

Professor of English Dr. Devin Brown shares about his department’s participation.

“For young and old, Christmas is a time of wonder and enchantment,” Brown said. “Through Songs of the Season, we hope to kindle those feelings in the hearts of everyone who attends. And during a time of year when the nights are getting longer, we hope to share the light and hope that Christ has given us.”

The Asbury University Music Department offers majors in Music (with emphases in composition and arranging, instrumental performance, pre-music therapy, vocal performance, and church music leadership) and Music Education (with emphases in general music education, instrumental music education, vocal/choral education, and combined instrumental/vocal education) with a minor in Music.

The Asbury University English Department offers majors in English, Creative Writing, and English (Grades 8-12) and a minor in Creative Writing.