Come hear the background of some of the music of Advent, as part of Morning Prayer beginning Nov. 28.

A variety of campus speakers will speak briefly about hymns such as "Lo! He comes with Clouds Descending" and "Unexpected and Mysterious." Just prior to Morning Prayer from Nov. 28 through Dec. 9th, musicians from across campus will provide special music for the season, an event known as Music Under the Gallery.

Speakers at Morning Prayer will be:

Mon., Nov. 28            Rev. Brian Johnson, Executive Director of Campus Ministries

Tues., Nov. 29 Dr. Fred Niedner, Professor of Theology

Wed., Nov. 30             Maura Cock, Lecturer in Music

Thurs., Dec. 1            Colleen Degen, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship staff member

Friday, Dec. 2                        Dr. Dennis Friesen-Carper, Reddel Professor of Music

Mon., Dec. 5               Rev. James Wetzstein, University Pastor

Tues., Dec. 6              (TBD)

Wed., Dec. 7               Dr. Joseph Bognar, Chair, Department of Music; Associate Professor of Music

Also providing Music Under the Gallery will be:

Mon., Nov. 28            West Chester Quartet

– Karis Ailabouni, Charlotte Lindstrom, Anna Anderson, Cortney Sourwine

Tues., Nov. 29            Members of the VU Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

Wed., Nov. 30             Acabellas

Thurs., Dec. 1            Flute Choir ­– “High Frequency”

Fri., Dec. 2                 Valparaiso Brass Quartet

– Andrew Kortze, Trumpet; Julia Scheiderer, Trumpet; Thomas Vienna, Horn; William Charles, Trombone

Mon., Dec. 5               VuVox

Tues., Dec. 6               Guitar Ensemble

Wed., Dec. 7               Quinn Huebner, piano

Morning Prayer begins at 11:15 and ends at 11:35, but come a little early to hear the special music.

Please join us beginning Thursday, Dec. 8th, at Morning Prayer for an Advent tradition known as the “O Antiphons.” Here at the Chapel, the “O Antiphons” mark the last seven days of Morning Prayer each December.  On each of these seven days, we remember a name from the Old Testament that becomes fulfilled in Christ (for example, “Root of Jesse,” “Key of David,” and “Emmanuel.”)   As we approach the birth of Christ each year, we recall these names by reading the biblical passage, singing a psalm, and singing a stanza of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” 

We also invite you to celebrate the start of the “O Antiphons” on Dec. 8th by staying after Morning Prayer for Christmas Stollen (a German sweetbread), coffee and juice. Music Under the Gallery continues through Dec. 9 with the Valparaiso Woodwind Quintet on Dec. 8 and members of Sigma Alpha Iota on Friday, Dec. 9.