7:30 pm Friday, February 25, 2011
Grand Island Nebraska High School
2124 North LaFayette
Grand Island, NE 68803

Sponsored by the Grand Island Concert Association.  Please contact them for further information - http://www.giconcerts.org/.

Tickets available at the door for both performances, with limited availability for the 2:00 performance.  Doors will open 45 minutes prior to each performance for ticket sales.

Tickets ordered after December 10th are being held at Will Call at the door.

Through its music and thematic flow, the Christmas Festival seeks to answer the challenging and ageless question, "What does the birth of Christ mean to us today?"  Well-loved carols sung by all, readings, choral music both familiar and new, sung from all corners of the space, weave together to form an experience that deepens the meaning of Emmanuel: God With Us.  For this year's festival, the National Lutheran Choir will present the world premiere of Angelus ad Virginem, a new commissioned work by award-winning Minnesota composer, Carol Barnett.  Order your tickets early to bring family and friends.

A creative concert combing the voices of all who assemble in hymnody, as well as choral literature performed by the National Lutheran Choir, all meaningfully knit together by reflections written and spoken by Poet/Hymnist Susan Palo Cherwien.  Choral music by John Tavener, Marques L.A. Garrett, Charles Villiers Stanford, Larry Fleming, Michael Johann Bach and others.  Join the choir and its artistic director, David Cherwien, for an evening of inspiration and splendor.

All creation joins the song of the angels greeting the birth of Christ.  Not just in memory of an event more than two-thousand years ago, but every day, every place, at all times.  Our annual Christmas festival is a seamless flow combining beautiful choral music of the season, poetry and carol singing in two of this country's most awe-inspiring spaces.  This year's festival includes a brand-new work by John Tavener, Ex Maria Virgine, many portions of which have not yet been performed in the United States.  Hear additional music by Glinka, Rachmaninoff, Ahlen, Tiefenbach, Carter, Thorson, and others.