The DeSales University Chorale and Schola Cantorum will perform its annual Christmas concert, Gaudeamus, a service of readings and music celebrating the Christmas season. Performances will be held on December 4, 5 and 6 at 8:00 p.m.
According to J. Bennett Durham, coordinator of choral activities at DeSales University, Gaudeamus "follows the basic lessons and carols format, but rather than mixing just Biblical readings we use sacred readings from secular sources. [It is] a combination of Scripture and poetry and prose having to do with Advent and Christmas."
The word, Gaudeamus, is Latin for "rejoice." According to Durham, the concert is entitled Gaudeamus because "we're celebrating Christmas and it's sort of a rejoicing theme."
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The concert will feature performances of numerous anthems and readings. The audience is invited to sing with the Chorale and Schola Cantorum on familiar carols that are intermixed with the anthems and readings.
The two centerpieces of the performance are Messe de Minuit, a French Christmas mass that was written for a liturgical performance on Christmas Eve; and Estampie Natalis, which features various instruments blending with the voices of the choir members.
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"This year, [Gaudeamus is] more of a progression of a story, using Scripture from [the book of] John. [It tells the story of] what's to come, what happened, and what's our reaction to that. [Gaudeamus is] framed with chronologically telling the story versus telling themes," said Durham.
Admission is free; however, tickets are required. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Box Office at the Labuda Center for Performing Arts at 610-282-3192.