Westmont Christmas Festival to 'Give Peace'

The fifth annual Westmont Christmas Festival, “And In This Place Will I Give Peace,” rings in the advent season with three performances at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance at State Street. Admission to the festival Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m., is free, but tickets are required due to limited seating. You may reserve tickets online or call (805) 565-7140.

Last year, more than 2,000 people attended the Westmont Christmas Festival, which has become a popular community tradition.

Musical highlights will include the towering conclusion to J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, “Dona Nobis Pacem,” the rousing finale to Vaughan Williams’ cantata “Dona Nobis Pacem,” Westmont alum Paul Sjolund’s “In the Beginning,” Gustav Holst’s “Venus” from “Planet’s Suite” and the world premiere of a hymn by Randall VanderMey, Westmont professor of English. The Westmont College Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorale, Men’s Chorale, New Sounds Singers and Orchestra will invite audience members to sing traditional carols throughout the performance.

“Amidst the many social and commercial messages of the season, this program provides a beautiful and profound witness to the truth of the Christmas miracle,” says Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship and the director of the orchestra and College Choir. “Each year we’re able to address a particular aspect of the incarnation. This year’s theme focuses on the peace that passes all understanding, which is particularly needed in our world today.”