Christmas First Night | Anderson University

Christmas First Night: A Gift for the Soul.

The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University is proud to launch the Christmas season this year with a special online celebration of Christmas First Night: A Gift for the Soul.

Christmas First Night features ensemble and solo performances from the Music students of the South Carolina School of the Arts. Along with performances of seasonal sacred and secular music, A Gift for the Soul includes the traditional presentation of the scriptural Christmas Story.

The program premieres on the Anderson University website on December 1, 2020 and will be available for a limited time.

Filmed in various locations on the Anderson University campus, Christmas First Night: A Gift for the Soul includes performances by the university’s choral, instrumental, and contemporary ensembles, along with featured solo performers from each area.

This unique online event was produced while carefully following Journey Ahead protocols. The South Carolina School of the Arts wishes to thank the Anderson University Marketing and Communications team who worked tirelessly to help carefully craft this Christmas celebration.

Christmas First Night Offering

As a part of our annual First Night Celebration, Anderson University receives an offering to assist with a University or community need. This year we will be accepting donations to benefit the AU Student Emergency Fund. This fund was created to have resources available to assist students who found themselves in need of financial assistance due to unexpected dire circumstances. Your support of the fund will allow us to continue to help our students through these financial challenges. Thank you for your support.

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Christmas First Night Program

Welcome

Fantasia on Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams
AU String Ensemble
Joanna Mulfinger, director

“Angels, from the Realms of Glory” arr. Eddie Fargason
AU Brass Quintet
Stephen Wilson, director

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” arr. David Willcocks
AU Concert Choir
Richard A. Williamson, director

Joy to the World, arr. Joel Raney
Jessica Andress (organ) and Sarah Rochester (piano)

“Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney
AUthenticity
Derrick Cordoba, director

“I’ll be home for Christmas” by Gannon, Ram, and Kent
Ashlynn Costa and Faculty Jazz Trio

“A Big Band Christmas II” by Carl Strommen
AU Jazz Ensemble
Stephen Wilson, director

“Light of the World” by Daigle, Duncan, and Mabury
AU Worship Band
Joe Wehunt, director

“Night of Silence” by Daniel Kantor
AU Choir
Christopher Hansen, director

The AU Student Emergency Fund
Wes Brashier
Vice President for Christian Life

“Wexford Carol” arr. Dawn Willis
AU Women’s Choir
Deirdre Francis, director

The Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-20)
Rev. Dr. James Noble
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

“O Holy Night” by Adolphe Adam
Griffin Lewis (baritone) and Jessica Andress (organ)

Closing Words
“Hallelujah” from Messiah by George Frederick Handel

Combined Choirs and Orchestra at Christmas First Night
Christopher Hansen, conductor

All numbers presented in this program were recorded using approved COVID-19 protocols and PPE. In some cases, audio and video were captured separately using precautions appropriate to each.

Christmas First Night Credits

Voiceover Artist

Lydia Seremba

AU String Ensemble

Joanna Mulfinger, conductor

Violin 1

Kendra Hamilton (soloist)

Adam Jobson (soloist)

Savanna Moore

Addison Holmes

Violin 2

Breanne Beeler

Ashleigh Smith

Natalie Rutledge

Sally Jolly

Cade Craig

Violin 3

Sophie Kiser

Carly Wilder

Viola

Katie Landry

Luis Martinez

Cello

Stonewall Pent (soloist)

Morgan McKinnon

Naomi Woodbury

Seth Genatt

Bass

Hunter Norman

Jacob Samuelson

Harp

Amanda Bateman (soloist)

AU Brass Quintet

Steve Wilson, director

Maxwell Kinard - Trumpet

Colman Grimes - Trumpet

Laura Carpenter - Horn

Britt Callahan - Trombone

Jose Maduro - Tuba

Anderson University Concert Choir

Richard A. Williamson, director

Cynthia Forbes, accompanist

Ronnie Davis, organist

Leah Annis

Hannah Byrne

Angelina Chisholm

Ashlynn Costa

Anna Crump

Alex Cushman

Alison Duffy

Mikah Dunn

Maggie Fowler

Coleman Grimes

Hannah Grubbs

Kaitlyn Hamilton

Joe Harder

Brady Henderson

Braxton Horn

Chandler Hughes

Demetria Hunt

Georgie Kelley

Meghan Kirkland

Jacob Lenz

Griffin Lewis

Joel McCann

Savanna Moore

Cason Pyrtle

Makaria Sanders

Will Sharpe

Luke Smith

Olivia Stepp

Sarah Velkovich

“Joy to the World”

Jessica Andress, organ

Sarah Rochester, piano

AUthenticity

Derick Cordoba, director

Georgie Kelley – Vocal

Caitlyn Burger – Vocal

Kyra Morgan – Vocal

Max Milian – Vocal, Piano, and Arranger

Sincere Hatten – Saxophone

Michael Ford – Guitar

Otis Todd – Bass

Ethan Houseman – Drum Set

Joel McCann – Recording, Mixing, and Mastering Engineer

AU Commercial Music Ensemble

Derick Cordoba, director

Ashlynn Costa – Vocal Soloist

Derick Cordoba – Guitar

Greg Alewine – Upright Bass

Tim Blackwell – Drum Set

Derick Cordoba – Recording, Mixing and Mastering Engineer

AU Jazz Ensemble

Steve Wilson, director

Sincere Hatten – Alto Saxophone

Douglas Lofton – Alto Saxophone

William Perrini – Tenor Saxophone

Micah Trotter – Tenor Saxophone

Mabry Smith – Baritone Saxophone

Maxwell Kinard – Trumpet

Coleman Grimes – Trumpet (soloist)

Laura Carpenter – Trumpet/Horn

Chris Imhoff – Trumpet

Soloman Wilkins – Trombone

Britt Callahan – Trombone

Evan Cathcart – Trombone

Hayden Stellges – Bass Trombone

Carter Cothran – Tuba

Max Milian – Keyboards (soloist)

Michael Ford – Guitar

Jacob Samuelson – Bass

Ethan Houseman – Drums

AU Worship Band

Joe Wehunt, director

Demetria Hunt: Lead Vocals

Cam Owens-Hunter: Vocals

Angelina Chisholm: Vocals

Jebediah Mascorro: Electric Guitar 1

Ian Morel: Electric Guitar 2

Haleigh Shacklelford: Keys

Levi Summey - Keys

Savanna Moore: Acoustic Guitar

Ben Smith: Bass

Matt Howard: Drums

Anderson University Choir

Christopher Hansen, director
Janice Wright, pianist

Adam Joseph Arsi

Christina Hope Boothe

Adam Nicholas Boyce

Robert Liam Brenzel

Nathanael Robert Browne

Robert Warren Bryant

Calah Bethany Burdette

Caitlyn M Burger

Joseph Harold Carlisle

Hannah Alexandra Clark

Lydia Clark

William Bennett Clark

Abigail Lynn Covert

Alexandre Cox-Ashwood

Hannah Renee Dillard

Anna Elizabeth Dunn

Abigail Kate Dunson

Michael Ray Fletcher

Carlie Brooke Frederiksen

Samuel John Frick

Seth Benjamin Furr

Emma Margaret Gambrell

Hollyann Louisa Gardner

Nelson Ronald Gibson

Easton Michael Gowan

Meridith Olivia Gray

Thomas Richard Greene

Garrett David Grounds

Kendall Renee Guntner

Cassidy J Hall

Kendra Ann Hamilton

Lucas Alexander Henderson

Mhairi Henderson

Baylee Alexis Holder

Emily Kristen Jones

Grayson Lynn Kirkland

Macy Elizabeth Koppe

Elizabeth Ann LaPolt

Abigail Grace Larsen

Beall Elizabeth Looney

Sophia Grace Lynch

Ashleigh Grace Martin

Stelan Alexander Martin

Lauren Elizabeth McCann

Lindy Kate Mccloy

Karissa Jenae McKnight

Ian Luke Morel

Kyra Allaura Morgan

Hannah A Miller

Haven Rene Miller

**Anderson University Choir (Cont'd)**

Madeline Kristine Moseley

Shelby McKay Parker

Samuel Joseph Perry

Joshua James Potenberg

Jacin Holland Prevatte

Lindsie Anne Randlett

Brianna Christine Ricks

Jenna Jean Ritchey

Kathleen Rose Routszong

Tiffany Elizabeth Russell

Ansley Grace Sanders

Caroline Louise Sanders

Emma Grace Schmid

Lydia Muyinza Seremba

Nicholas Price Shelley

Benjamin H Smith

Levi Cole Summey

Noah Chandler Thomas

Nathan Daniel Trementozzi

Emma Grace Turner

John Marvin Verzwyvelt

Caroline Emily Visbisky

Roxanne Elizabeth Vogel

Nathan Daniel Wachsmuth

Mary Grace Whitlock

Adeline M Wiggins

Amanda Cheyenne Williams

Katherine Joy Worrell

Lily Ann Wyatt

AU Women’s Choir

Deirdre Welborn Francis, conductor

Janice Wright, piano

Charlotte Tanner, flute

Jessica Andress

Maria Boutin

Mabry Boyle (soloist)

Makenna Boyle

Kara Joy Bragg

Lucy Burnett

Catie Coefield

Zoe Dubiski

Alyssa Gaines

Areànna Kroll

Ralyn Ligon

Bekah McCallum

Blythe Nicholson

Jacin Prevatte

MaCayla Ratcliffe

Maggie Smith

Tailor Vaughn

Hanna Ward

Carly Wilder

Mary Beth Winckler

O Holy Night

Griffin Lewis, soloist

Jessica Andress, organ

Production Staff

Video (Henderson)

Video Director

Grace Ann Vargo

Camera Operators

Sarah-Beth Arnold

Larisa Crowder

Alex Davis

Benjamin Despres

Zoe Dubiski

Jacob King

Jeremy Thompson

Video Editors

Sarah-Beth Arnold

Benjamin Despres

Jeremy Thompson

Grace Ann Vargo

Video (Rainey House)

Video Director

Calvin Bowman

Audio

Audio Director

Cory Rutledge

Audio Tech

Spencer Dempsey

Broadcast Audio Mixing and Mastering

Joe Wehunt

Studio Assistants

Alaska Cupo

Ethan Houseman

Sydney Anderson

Chandler Hughes

Lighting and Scenery

Lighting Director

Cara Wood

Lighting Techs

James Glymph

Jenna Grigsby

Caleb Madden

Recording

Recording Supervisor
Joe Wehunt

Recording Assistants

Post Production

Andrew Beckner

Calvin Bowman

Technical Staff

Technical Director

Cory Rutledge

Tech Crew

Josh Allgood

Demetria Hunt

Macy Koppe

Savanna Moore

Producer

Richard A. Williamson

Music Permissions

“Fantasia on Greensleeves” by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), adapted from the opera 'Sir John in Love' and arranged by Ralph Greaves © Oxford University Press

“Angels, From the Realms of Glory”

Writer Credits: Eddie Fargason

Joy to the World arranged by Joel Raney

Reprinted under license #PS090920-1

"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney

Used by permission of MPL Communications, Inc.

"I’ll be home for Christmas" by Gannon, Ram, and Kent

Used by permission of Piedmont Music Co. and Gannon & Kent Music Co.

"A Big Band Christmas II" by Carl Strommen

“Auld Lang Syne” used by permission of Alfred Music.

“Here Comes Santa Claus” used by permission of Warner Chappell Music.

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” used by permission of Wixen Music Publishing and Haven Gillespie Music Publishing Co., LP.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” used by permission of Sony ATV.

“Light of the World” by Daigle, Duncan, and Mabury

CCLI Streaming License #CSPL083152

“Night of Silence” by Daniel Kantor

“Wexford Carol” arranged by Dawn Willis. Used by Permission.

The Journey Ahead is just getting started.

The Journey Ahead, Anderson University’s “stronger together” approach to reopening campus, is being developed by the COVID-19 Task Force and its working groups. Its protocols are based on the recommendation of public health experts and rely heavily on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).

Additional protocols are currently being developed. Please visit The Journey Ahead for regular updates. Please visit often for the latest information and guidelines, which are subject to change.