The PLU Department of Music and its music ensembles have made many music albums over the decades. Here is a summary of the Christmas albums that have been recorded. There are several you can listen to online or purchase. If you’d like to listen to more choral music, please visit the Choir of the West recordings page.
A Child is Born
The music on this disc represents works from the 2011 and 2012 Christmas concerts, and it features a new large work for choir and orchestra by Dr. David Deacon-Joyner, Professor of Music, Unto Us.
Peace - A PLU Christmas
Peace features music from the 2009 and 2010 Christmas concerts performed by the Choir of the West, University Chorale, the University Symphony Orchestra, and all the ensembles combined.
The repertoire on this disc is greatly varied. It includes traditional carols heard in Conrad Susa’s A Christmas Garland medley; Ding Dong! Merrily on High, arranged by Mack Wilberg; Angels We Have Heard On High, arranged by Gabriel Dumitrescu; and the Swedish favorite, Wonderful Peace, by Gustav Nordqvist.
Important historical composers Sergei Rachmaninoff and Herbert Howells are represented, as is popular British composer John Rutter. The album features beautiful new works by PLU choral faculty member Brian Galante (Ave Maria and In The Bleak Midwinter), a jubilant Gloria by Randol Alan Bass, and Robert Kyr’s exciting Pacific Sanctus.
Wondrous Child
This release is the first double disc Christmas CD, Wondrous Child. This new album contains highlights from the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Christmas concert seasons. Our musical theme calls to mind not only the mystery and paradox of Christ’s incarnation and humble birth, but also describes the wonder of the Christ child himself, an innocent babe who would miraculously grow to save the world. The central work of this album is Welcome, All Wonders, written by Los Angeles composer J.A.C. Redford. This CD features works sung by the University Chorale (conducted by Steven Zopfi and Brian Galante) and it is the first recording of the Choir of the West under the direction of Richard Nance. The University Symphony Orchestra is represented as well, beautifully prepared by Jeffrey Bell-Hanson and Jonathan Pasternack, and all the ensembles combine forces to present several works.
From classical works such as Mendelssohn’s Ave Maria, to the quasi-medieval Estampie Natalis by Vaclav Nehlybel, to familiar carols such as I Saw Three Ships and The First Noel, set for choir and orchestra by Mack Wilberg, this album is sure to include music that will warm your Christmas season.
Recorded in Lagerquist Concert Hall, Mary Baker Russell Music Center, Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West & University Men’s Chorus Richard Nance, Conductor University Chorale & University Singers Steven Zopfi, Visiting Conductor (2007) Brian Galante, Conductor (2008) University Symphony Orchestra Jeffrey Bell-Hanson, Conductor Jonathan Pasternak, Visiting Conductor (2008).
Rejoice and Sing
Featuring the Choir of the West, University Chorale and University Singers. Steeped in rich tradition, the PLU Christmas Festival Celebrations are held each year before enthusiastic crowds in Seattle, Portland and on the campus of PLU. We are proud of this recording made to capture the seasonal beauty of PLU’s choral excellence. It was an honor to premiere the wonderful composition Hodie Christus natus est, composed by our own Dr. Richard Nance. Also featured are familiar seasonal favorites such as Angels We Have Heard on High, Herbert Howells’ A Spotless Rose, John Rutter’s Cradle Song, Ave Maria and Ding Dong Merrily on High.
Peace, Love & Hope
This album from the PLU Music department features Christmastime selections from the Choir of the West, University Chorale, University Men’s Chorus and University Singers. The recording is a special delight and includes our prayer for light everlasting in the times we live. It includes Dale Warland’s arrangements of Of the Father’s Love Begotten and What Child Is This?, Rachmaninoff’s Glory to God in the Highest and our own Dr. Richard Nance’s arrangement of Martin Luther’s Savior of the Nations, Come. Also featured are John Paynter’s wonderful composition The Rose and Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day by John Rutter. Conducted by Richard Nance and Kathryn Lehmann.
Light Everlasting
Light Everlasting features repertoire from the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Christmas Concerts, including favorites such as O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, and Cesar Carillo’s beautiful Spanish setting of Silent Night, Noche de Paz. Also included are O Yule Full Of Gladness by Caroline Jennings, Eric Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque, and the CD’s title composition, Light Everlasting, by Olaf Christiansen. This album presents the premiere recording of PLU alumnus Michael Dailey’s beautiful composition Ave Maria. Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West & Men’s Chorus Conductor Kathryn Lehmann, University Chorale & University Singers Conductor Richard Nance, Members of University Symphony Orchestra Conductor Jeffrey Bell-Hanson.
Beautiful Savior
The third CD made especially to capture the spirit and seasonal beauty of PLU’s Christmas Festival Celebration Concerts. Recorded in the vibrant acoustics of Lagerquist Concert Hall with The Choir of the West, University Chorale, University Singers and University Men’s Chorus.