The 78th annual Christmas with Wartburg performance, “Hear the Angels Sing,” will showcase the talents of more than 300 student musicians at concerts Dec. 6-8 in West Des Moines and Waverly.

Tickets sales begin Friday, Nov. 1, for shows Saturday, Dec. 7, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. in Wartburg College’s Neumann Auditorium, as well as a performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.

This year’s concert, designed by artistic director Lee Nelson, will look at the Christmas story through the angels’ perspective. The concert will feature a mix of beloved, familiar Christmas music as well as new compositions.

Renowned composer René Clausen was commissioned to create the concert’s opening piece, which blends spoken word with musical excerpts from familiar angel carols, culminating in a dynamic arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

“Christmas with Wartburg has long been a cherished tradition, and this year’s concert, ‘Hear the Angels Sing,’ promises to be as awe-inspiring as ever. By exploring the nativity through the lens of the angels, we invite the audience to experience the Christmas story from the perspective of the heavenly skies,” said Nelson, Wartburg’s Patricia R. Zahn Chair in Choral Conducting. “This year’s program will feature classic Christmas favorites alongside newly commissioned works and a world premiere by the celebrated Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen.”

Eight Wartburg musical groups will perform: Wartburg Choir, Wind Ensemble, Castle Singers, Ritterchor (a bass clef ensemble), St. Elizabeth Chorale (a treble clef ensemble), Kantorei (a liturgical choir), the Handbell Choir and Kammerstreicher (a chamber orchestra).

Nelson will direct the Wartburg Choir and Ritterchor. Lia Snead, assistant professor of music and director of bands, will direct the Wind Ensemble. Nicki Toliver, associate director of choral activities, will conduct the Castle Singers and St. Elizabeth Chorale. Rebecca Nederhiser, assistant professor of music, will direct Kammerstreicher. Karen Black, cantor and college organist, will play the organ and lead Kantorei and the Handbell Choir.

“As always, the extraordinary talents of our Wartburg College students will come together to weave music, art and word into a deeply moving and heartwarming celebration of the season,” Nelson said.

This year’s production is made possible, in part, through the support of Sukup Manufacturing. 

Tickets are $20 to $26 for all Waverly performances and $26 for the West Des Moines performance. A buffet dinner reception will be offered in Waverly on Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m. for an additional cost of $25; concert tickets are not required. Concert and reception tickets can be purchased online at www.wartburg.edu/christmas or by calling the Music Office at 319-352-8300 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.