CBU student musicians herald the Christmas season in traditional chapel

Riverside, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2017) – Sounds of Christmas filled chapel at California Baptist University on Dec. 5 as musicians from the Collinsworth School of Music performed a mix of seasonal music.

As students arrived for the traditional School of Music chapel, the Jazz Band, conducted by Dr. Guy Holliday, kicked the gleeful gathering off by performing songs such as “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Throughout chapel, musicians brought joy and cheer to the occasion. The Symphony Orchestra played “Christmas Festival” and “Trepak” (Russian Dance) from “The Nutcracker Suite.” The Wind Ensemble performed the musical score for “The Night Before Christmas,” while Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the School of Music, narrated.

Afterward, the University Choir and Orchestra performed “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “The Bells” and “Let Us Be.”

Holliday said this time of year people can have personal struggles for various reasons, but Christians have a hope beyond circumstances.

“We are encouraged by the fact that we know the living Savior,” Holliday said. “We have a job to do—to share the light of Jesus that is inside of us.”

The audience was invited to sing along to “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “The First Noel.”

John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life at CBU, read the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke and encouraged students to consider ways to make Jesus the center of the Christmas season.

The musicians concluded with “Little Drummer Boy,” accompanied by CBU’s new Drumline.

School of Music Christmas Concert

The University Choir and Orchestra will perform a Christmas concert Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.