Asbury University will soon present its annual Songs of the Season concert, a long-running collaboration between the Music and English departments that combines choral and orchestral arrangements with poetry and literary readings.
Though the program has evolved over more than two decades, its purpose remains the same: to showcase sacred Christmas repertoire that often goes unheard, according to a faculty member involved in the performance.
“This concert has been part of our tradition for at least 20 years,” the professor said. “The idea is to feature Christmas music that isn’t played on the radio all the time — crafted orchestral and choral pieces that are beautiful but sometimes neglected.”
Originally held in the smaller Jameson Recital Hall, the event began as a modest collaboration. Faculty from the English department selected and read Christmas-themed poems or short stories, interwoven between musical selections prepared by the orchestra and the Asbury Chorale. Chorale is an audition-required choir with soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices. The musical repertoire often included major works such as excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, as well as arrangements of familiar carols.
Over time, the concert shifted from small chamber groups to a full orchestral and choral performance. The structure, however, has remained consistent: music followed by poetry or prose, each piece intentionally paired to highlight a particular theme.
“It’s songs of the season not only in the musical sense,” the professor said, “but also in the literary sense — poetry and stories that reflect the meaning of the season.”
A significant evolution came when Asbury’s administration and the President’s Society began attending the event. Donors, after years of hearing outside guest performers during Christmas week, requested a student-centered program instead. Their feedback prompted the university president to elevate Songs of the Season and move it into Hughes Auditorium.
“With support from Advancement, we were able to bring in professional lighting and sound,” the professor said. “It’s become a beautifully produced concert — festive, polished and truly a community event.”
The annual performance now draws students, faculty, local residents and members of the President’s Society. According to the professor, the concert has become “a really nice community event” that signals the end of fall semester and the start of Christmas celebrations on campus.
Behind the scenes, the program is a joint effort across departments. Dr. Nathan Miller leads the orchestra, Professor Isaac Brooks directs the choral selections, and Dr. Dan Strait collaborates with English faculty to curate the readings. Advancement assists with design and printing of the concert program.
The professor described the collaboration as a purposeful break from departmental “silos” — a shared effort that underscores Asbury’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning.
“We’re always encouraged to collaborate,” he said. “Every department has so much going on that it would be easy to stay in our own worlds. But this event was a logical and meaningful partnership.”
Reflecting on past concerts, he recalled a variety of distinctive selections, including bluegrass-infused choral works, orchestral arrangements of lesser-known Christmas pieces, student instrumental features, and occasional candlelit finales. Programs from past years include masterworks like the Christmas Oratorio and gentler pieces such as “Cradle Hymn” or “Jesu Bambino.” Some performances also integrated guitarists, flutists and solo vocalists.
While the theme for this year’s Songs of the Season had not been finalized at the time of the interview, the professor noted that Dr. Miller or Professor Brooks would soon finalize the program.
Regardless of the theme, he said the concert continues to fulfill its founding vision.
“People come and sit in this beautifully lit space to hear choral and orchestral music alongside poetry and stories,” he said. “It’s a chance to experience something lovely — something that captures the richness of the Christmas season.”
Photo courtesy of Asbury University.
