Judson to host annual Christmas Concert of Worship Dec. 5

Judson University's Center for Worship in the Performing Arts' annual Christmas Concert of Worship will bring together the best and brightest among the Judson family for a night of merry celebration at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in Herrick Chapel, 1151 N. State St., Elgin.

Judson's students, staff, alumni and professors will share their musical talents in a big way to turn a chilly fall night into a warm and memorable one that glorifies the King of Kings.

The 50-piece Judson Civic Orchestra will open the program with a prelude filled with familiar holiday songs. Judson staff member and Citizen Way lead singer Ben Calhoun will lead in singing a myriad of congregational carols, with the help of his guitar.

Professional soloist Joshua Jones, a tenor, will lead the Judson Choir in a sweeping rendition of the Yuletide standard, "Oh, Holy Night."

The Chamber Singers will sing "Lo How a Rose E're Blooming" and "O Magnum Mysterium," and the Judson Guitar Ensembles will also contribute a variety of stringed classics.

Get ready to ride the memory train as the choir and orchestra perform heartwarming favorites, including: "Do You Hear What I Hear?" "This Christmas at Dawn," and Michael W. Smith's "All is Well."

The night would not be complete without the Judson Children's Choir that will offer two holiday melodies, led by alumna Rebecca Malmgren.

Also, expect to hear seasonal music played on piano. Judson music chair Robert Kania will contribute a dramatic number, as will two of Judson's Music Performance Certificate students, Ah Hae Song and Eun Hye Park, who will play a four-handed composition.

And, special dramatic readings by Judson theater director Kimberly Schmidt and worship arts professor Mark Torgerson will thread the evening's many parts into a well-told story.

The Friends of Judson will host a bake sale in the lobby during intermission to raise money for scholarships and global outreach trips, and a free-will offering will be collected.

Free shuttle service will be provided the night of the Christmas concert from the Lindner Tower parking lot on River Road to Herrick Chapel, between 6 and 6:45 p.m., with return service after the concert.