It Wouldn't Be Christmas without The Genevans' Christmas Concerts 

The Genevans, student choir of Geneva College, presented their annual Christmas program entitled “My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord” in free community concerts Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3. The best of The Genevans' Christmas Concerts will be broadcast on radio on Christmas eve (see inset below).

Drawing from the Anglican tradition of Christmastime “Lessons and Carols” services, conductor David Kenneth Smith developed a fresh approach to this year’s choir concerts. The first half of the program interspersed choral selections with responsive readings and several opportunities for the audience to sing. Mary’s song of praise from Luke 1, commonly known as the Magnificat, guides the theme of the concerts.

Dr. Smith comments, “In the Magnificat we see the virgin Mary drawing from the riches of the Psalms and Old Testament poetry to create her own marvelous expression of praise for God’s covenant faithfulness, as displayed in the advent of Jesus Christ. Although Mary’s role in God’s story was completely unique, her song should inspire each of us to magnify the Lord for his good gifts in every area of our own lives, especially in this Christmas season.” Bookending the first half of the program were two settings of the Magnificat, the first in Latin by Arvo Pärt and the second in English by George Dyson. “The Gloria Patri at the end of Dyson’s Magnificat is glorious,” says Dr. Smith. “It’s worth coming just to hear that.”

Continuing their commitment to original works of music, The Genevans premiered Geneva senior Michael Kearney’s setting of Psalm 34:1-3, as well as Dr. Byron Curtis’ medieval carol arrangement entitled “Praise the Boy This Blessed Morn.” Other selections included two motets by Renaissance composer Tomás Luis de Victoria, excerpts from J.S. Bach’s motet “Singet dem Herrn” (BWV 225) and a wide assortment of traditional carols.

As is their custom, The Genevans concluded each concert by encircling the audience for the singing of Christiansen’s “Beautiful Savior” and Manz’s “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,” followed by the triumphant congregational carol “Joy to the World.”

Concertgoers also experienced appearances by other Geneva College vocal groups: the Grace Notes, a women’s ensemble, and the Eight Bells, a double barbershop quartet. Senior Mechanical Engineering and Applied Math major John Kinch of West Palm Beach, FL, performed the offertory. In addition to accompanying The Genevans, pianist and organist Michael Kearney presented a 30-minute organ prelude beginning at 6:30.

Now in his fifth year as conductor of The Genevans, Dr. Smith reflects, “Over and over, alumni and friends tell us it wouldn’t be Christmas without The Genevans’ Christmas concerts. We’re so excited to continue that legacy into our 79th season as we magnify the Lord in song.”

The concerts were free and open to the public. A freewill offering was taken to support the choir’s operating expenses, as they prepare for a ten-day bus tour to Florida in March 2017 and an international tour to Europe in 2018.

The Genevans choir exists to glorify God and minister to people through the gift of music. Founded in 1938, the choir continues a rich heritage of choral singing dating from the early years of the college over a century and a half ago. For more information, contact the Geneva College Music Department at (724) 847-6660, visit The Genevans on the web at geneva.edu/Genevans, or follow The Genevans on Facebook at facebook.com/thegenevans.

The Genevans' CDs make a great gift for someone special - http://www.geneva.edu/ensembles/genevans/recordings/ 

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