December 6-8, 2024
Center for Arts and Performance
Schwan Concert Hall
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
The audience is respectfully asked to hold applause until the completion of the program.
LO, HOW A ROSE E’ER BLOOMING
This night a wondrous revelation
Michael Praetorius, arr. Robert Scholz
A great and mighty wonder, Makes known to me God’s love and grace; A full and holy cure, The Child that merits adoration The virgin bears the Infant, Brings light to our benighted race. The Word Incarnate sure.
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming as prophets long have sung. It came, a flow’ret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.
Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore for all a Savior, when half-spent was the night.
This flow’r, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness ev’rywhere. True Man, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens ev’ry load.
- C.F. Nachtenhöfer, St. Germanus, 15th Century German Carol
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
“Light Everlasting” (Isaiah 60:19-20)
Rev. Gregory Lyon, Rev. Wayne Shevey, and Rev. Nathan Wordell
LIGHT EVERLASTING
O Light everlasting, O Love never failing, Illumine our darkness, and draw us to Thee. May we from Thy spirit receive inspiration. As children together Thy wisdom may see. Make known to all nations Thy peace and salvation, And help us, O Father, Thy temple to be.
Olaf C. Christiansen
- Rev. John T. Troutbeck, alt.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bring all peoples to their Savior King; Thou Cornerstone, who makest one, complete in us thy work begun: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from above, who orders all things through thy love; To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way the leads on high, and close the path to misery: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
ALL MY HEART THIS NIGHT REJOICES
All my heart this night rejoices, as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices, “Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!” All the air, and ev’rywhere, “Gloria!”
Come let us all both great and small sing “Gloria!”
Hail the star where hope is burning, “Gloria!”
Love is yearning, ever yearning, “Gloria, gloria!”
Come and dwell in glory forever and ever. Far on high in joy can alter never.
Dwell in the house of Love forever, ever and ever, “Gloria, gloria!”
JAUCHZET, FROHLOCKET
SUNG IN GERMAN
- Latin hymn, pre-9th century
- Paul Gerhardt
Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage, Rühmet, was heute der Höchste getan! Celebrate, rejoice, rise up and praise these days, glorify what the Highest has done today!
Lasset das Zagen, verbannet die Klage, Stimmet voll Jauchzen und Fröhlichkeit an! Abandon despair, banish laments, sound forth full of delight and happiness!
- Attr. Picander; trans. Francis Brown
Z. Randall Stroope
Johann Sebastian Bach
- please rise -
LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, YOU MIGHTY GATES
- be seated -
On Christmas Night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring. News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of our merciful King’s birth.
Then why should men on earth be so sad, since our Redeemer made us glad? When from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place. Angels and men with joy may sing, all for to see the newborn King.
All out of darkness we have light which made the angels sing this night: ‘Glory to God and peace to men, now and forevermore, Amen.’
HOW STILL HE RESTS
How still the child rests in quiet splendor. How peacefully he lies in the manger so bare.
He rests in peace while the angels in heaven sing Glory to God on the night of his birth.
Sleep on, sleep on, oh infant divine. How quiet the night. Oh how quiet the night. Oh sleep, little child, sleep on.
Oh holy child, son of God, hear us praise thee. Our hearts sing with joy on this night of your birth. How still he rests. How still he lies asleep. How still he rests. Sleep, sleep.
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains; And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your lovely song? Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the newborn King. See him in a manger laid whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid while our hearts in love we raise. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
- Anonymous
- English carol
Brent Pierce
Arnold Freed
THERE IS NO ROSE
There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bear Jesu; Alleluia. For in this rose contained was heaven and earth in little space; Res miranda. (Marvelous thing) By that rose we may well see there be one God in persons three; Pares forma. (Equal in nature) The angels sungen the shepherds to: Gloria in excelsis Deo! (Glory to God in the highest!) Gaudeamus. (May we rejoice) Leave we all this worldly mirth, and follow we this joyful birth; Transeamus. (Let us follow)
- anon. 15th century
THE SHEPHERD AND THE KING
The Shepherd and the King, the Angel and the Ass, They heard Sweet Mary sing when her joy was come to pass; They heard Sweet Mary sing to the Baby on her knee. Sing again, Sweet Mary, sing again, sing again and we will sing with thee!
Refrain: Earth, bear a berry! Heaven, bear a light! Man, make you merry on Christmas Night!
The Oxen in the stall, the Sheep upon the hill, They are waking all to hear Sweet Mary still. The Baby is a Child, and the Child is running free. Sing again, Sweet Mary, sing again, sing again and we will sing with thee! Refrain.
The people in the land, so many million strong, All silently do stand to hear sweet Mary’s song. The Child, He is a Man, and the Man hangs on a tree. Sing again, Sweet Mary, sing again, sing again and we will sing with thee! Refrain.
The Stars that are so old, the Grass that is so young, They listen in the cold to hear Sweet Mary’s tongue. The Man’s the Son of God, and in heaven walketh He. Sing again, Sweet Mary, sing again, sing again and we will sing with thee! Refrain.
- Eleanor Farjeon
Brian Holmes
- please rise –OF THE FATHER’S LOVE BEGOTTEN
- be seated -
MY KING IS COMIN’ SOON
Kyle Pederson
When is my king a-comin? Lord, hear my cry! Lord, I am tired, and heavy is my burden. The king is comin’, my king is comin’ soon. I’m down in the valley, and starin’ at the mountain. You split the mighty waters of the Red Sea; Lord, will you split the rising waters all around me? The king is comin’, my king is comin’ soon.
He showed up for Daniel, He showed up for Moses, He showed up for David when he fought Goliath. He showed up for David, He showed up for Moses, He showed up for Daniel down with the lions.
The world is weary and heavy with its hunger; we wait on your promise no matter how much longer. A child will be comin’, the prophets all have spoken; freeing the captives and healing all that’s broken. When the king comes, see justice roll like thunder! Mercy, peace, and compassion will roll like thunder! My king is comin’, my king is comin’ soon.
Michael Kuether, soloist
JESUS CHRIST THE APPLE TREE
The tree of life my soul hath seen, laden with fruit, and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be compared with Christ the apple tree.
His beauty doth all things excel: by faith I know, but ne’er can tell The glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ the apple tree.
For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see ‘tis found in Christ the apple tree.
I’m weary with my former toil, here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be of Jesus Christ the apple tree.
This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree. - anon. text
GLORIFICATION (from Celestial Spring)
F. Melius Christiansen
Hosanna, a new Hosanna within is ringing, new glory bringing to God on high. Who has exalted this lowly mortal to heaven’s portal beyond the sky. Hosanna, a new Hosanna all life embraces, while growing praises to God arise; Soon my spirit shall sing victorious with Him, the glorious, in paradise. A new Hosanna shall arise. A new Hosanna now is ringing, and my heart is singing: Hallelujah!
-Oscar R. Overby, alt.
Elizabeth Poston
GLORIA (Movement I)
SUNG IN LATIN
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. We praise thee. We bless thee. We worship thee. We glorify thee. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Gloria in excelsis Deo. We give thanks to thee for thy great glory. Glory be to God on high.
LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING
Verses 1 and 3: sung by the audience Verse 2: sung by the choir
John Rutter
- from the Ordinary of the Mass
arr. Dan Forrest
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN CHOIR
Soprano I Soprano II
Ava Charpentier Delafield, WI
Abbie Dziubek Waukesha, WI
Elliana Engel* Milwaukee, WI
Mariska Gilbertson* Onalaska, WI
Elaina Gregorius* Milwaukee, WI
Natalie Hatzung Waukesha, WI
Madysen Leiterman Manitowoc, WI
Aberdeen Rios Aurora, IL
Claire Conorman* Livonia, MI
Elaina Davis Iron Ridge, WI
Grace Hennen Slinger, WI
Amiah Jackson* Rockton, IL
McKenna Luebke Oak Creek, WI
Sophia Prost Watertown, WI
Anna Pufahl* Waukesha, WI
Estrella Strackbein* New Ulm, MN
Eviana Uttech* Waukesha, WI
Alto I Alto II
Maddie Bailey Racine, WI
Abigail Berg Milwaukee, WI
Emma Christophersen* Cedarburg, WI
Sophia Eckl Ixonia, WI
Alise Heinrich* Rockton, IL
Kyra Johnson* Appleton, WI
Trinity Jurek Palmyra, WI
Isabella Morgan Muskego, WI
Abby Pieper Fond du Lac, WI
Paige Wempner West Allis, WI
Jenna Wichmann Palm Harbor, FL
Ellen Amundson* West Bend, WI
Lauren Butler West Allis, WI
Maddie Crabtree Nodine, MN
Camryn Friske Muskego, WI
Addie Gumm* Milwaukee, WI
Alyssa Lemke Garden City, MI
Megan Lippert* Hartford, WI
Ellie Mittelstadt Iron Ridge, WI
Megan Sauer Sturgeon Bay, WI
Ilse Scherwinski Jackson, WI
Emily Weigand Goodhue, MN
Tenor I Tenor II
Jonathan Abel* Fort Atkinson, WI
Joey Coon Hemlock, MI
Carsten Jungwirth Appleton, WI
Gabriel Kohl* Roscoe, IL
Benjamin Felgenhauer West Bend, WI
Joseph Mastopietro* New Berlin, WI
Joshua Norris* Fond du Lac, WI
Benjamin Thoma Mesa, AZ
Jonathan Thoma* Mesa, AZ
Bass I Bass II
Elijah Edwards Merritt Island, FL
Alexander Gregorius Milwaukee, WI
Colton Heinrich* Rockton, IL
Stephen Klemp* Jackson, WI
Philip Kolodzinski Mukwonago, WI
Xan Sutton* Tomahawk, WI
Alex Blackwood* Franklin, WI
Collin Cerny* Campbellsport, WI
Michael Kuether New Berlin, WI
Joshua Lippert Hartford, WI
Caleb Needham Saginaw, MI
Sam Olson* Elkhorn, WI
* Chamber Choir member
INSTRUMENTALISTS
Violin I Flute Trombone
Hannah Braun
Megan Buschkopf
Karrigan Cragin
Ellie Ericson
Violin II
Abigail Berg
Alyssa Gorte
Oboe
Kate Dogs
Eviana Uttech
Amy Hubert
Dan Hubert
Euphonium
Ellen Amundson
Anne Hafenstein Percussion
Sophia Kerkow
Kathryn Rausch
Viola
Rachael Charles
Molly Lieberman
Clarinet
Lauren Butler
Collin Cerny
Danny Hafenstein
Olivia Christensen Ellie Mittelstadt
Bassoon Piano
Libby Garrett
Miriam Snyder
Grace Hennen
Megan Lippert
Cello Joseph Mastopietro
April Dannelly-Schenk
Patrick Reinholz
Bass
French Horn
Collin Cerny
Elliana Engel
Harrison Krause
Organ
David Porth
Daniel Rindt Handbells
Trumpet
Alex Blackwood
Stephen Klemp Elliana Engel
Marty Kuphall
Emily Weigand
Addie Gumm
Madysen Leiterman
Alyssa Lemke
McKenna Luebke
Caleb Needham
Joshua Norris
Joshua Lippert
Sam Olson
ABOUT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Wisconsin Lutheran College is an independent, nationally ranked Christian college in Milwaukee that serves more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students through its on-campus and online programming. The college, which prepares students for lives of Christian leadership, is recognized for its academic excellence and superior student experience.
Visit wlc.edu to explore the programs offered by Wisconsin Lutheran College. To subscribe to enewsletters or to follow the college on social media, visit wlc.edu/connect
THE WLC MUSIC PROGRAM
Wisconsin Lutheran College’s music program focuses on both the science and artistry of this sacred and ancient communication tool. By pursuing a major or minor in music, a student will acquire the knowledge and perception essential to excellent musicianship. The program features academic studies in music analysis, music literature and repertoire, and the historical development of music. Additionally, private lessons, master classes, recitals, and vocal and instrumental performing groups serve to advance and strengthen the student’s skills in making music.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Music scholarship opportunities are available to students with vocal, instrumental, and piano accompanying talent. Annually the music department awards scholarships for up to $2,000 per year. These scholarships are renewable through senior year. All full-time freshmen and transfer students are eligible to apply for these music scholarships, regardless of intended major. For application and audition information, visit wlc.edu/musicscholarship.
DISTINCTIVENESS: Wisconsin Lutheran College’s music program offers the chance to study both the methods and the aesthetics of this powerful mode of communication. Students can develop their talents and enjoy the enriching, broadening experience of music performance, both individually and as part of a group. In addition, the college’s performing artist series brings nationally recognized artists to campus on a regular basis.
FACILITIES: The Music Department at Wisconsin Lutheran College is housed in the Center for Arts and Performance, featuring a 370-seat concert hall, practice rooms, a rehearsal hall, a multimedia lecture hall, and an electronic music lab. This state-of-the-art facility is home to the college’s performing ensembles.
