The University of Redlands will present the Feast of Lights—one of its most anticipated and respected traditions of the holiday season, now in its 70th year—Dec. 1-4, 2017 in the historic Memorial Chapel on the University of Redlands campus.
The Feast of Lights is a nationally-acclaimed event and a traditionally integral part of launching the holiday season in the Redlands communities. The service of worship celebrates―in spoken word, tableaux, song and instrumental offering―the birth of Jesus. Although presentations have differed slightly from year to year, the basic theme has remained constant: the story of the birth of Christ and the symbolic message of the star of Bethlehem as it led the Wise Men to the stable. At the service’s conclusion, the traditional Ceremony of Candles symbolizes the spreading of the light of Christ’s message.
The Feast of Lights is directed by School of Music Director of Choral Studies Nicholle Andrews and includes the talents of students from the School of Music, choral conductor Joseph Modica, Chaplain John Walsh, orchestral conductor Co Boi Nguyen, stage director Marco Schindelmann and organist Frederick Swann, who retires this year.
“This Feast marks Frederick Swann’s last performance on the beautiful Casavant Frères organ,” said U of R President Ralph Kuncl. “Often referred to as ‘most famous organist in the world,’ he has impressed audiences at Redlands for the past decade while making a significant cultural contribution to society at large. Frederick’s international stature as a performing recitalist and as generator of other artists is unparalleled. He is known as a consummate improvisationalist.”
WHAT: 70th annual Feast of Lights
WHERE: Historic Memorial Chapel, University of Redlands, 1200 E. Colton Ave., Redlands, Calif. 92373. Free parking is available near and adjacent to the Chapel.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec.1; Saturday, Dec. 2 and Monday, Dec. 4 | 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 | Preceding the Friday, Dec. 1 performance is the Moveable Feast
TICKETS: On campus at the ticket office in the Hunsaker University Center, open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at http://www.redlands.edu/events/feastoflights with a debit or credit card. Call 909-748-8116 for more information. **As in past years, we will collect donations for the Redlands Family Service Association at the Feast of Lights.