Thiel ensembles performing in Pittsburgh on Light Up Night; fraternity collecting for upcoming walk

Posted November 15, 2019 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Pittsburgh-area alumni and friends will get a special preview of Thiel College’s 67th Christmas Festival with a special performance at First English Lutheran Church as part of 6 p.m. Vespers during the city’s “Light -Up Night” on November 22.

“I am delighted to not only partner with one of our regional Lutheran churches, but also with former member of the Board of Trustees Rev. Brian Evans ’03 who is a strong presence at Thiel and is willing to be such a great collaborator and bridge-builder between our College and the church. This is a wonderful opportunity for Thiel to give back to the people and institutions that support and strengthen our work,” said Campus Pastor Brian Riddle ’07.

More than just the Thiel College choir members will be attending the Light Up Night festivities. Members of Phi Theta Phi fraternity will also be attending the event as part of the fundraising for their annual walk to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

With the theme of “The Weary World Rejoices,” the festival features a wide range of repertoire from familiar Christmas carols to newer works by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory, Dan Forrest, and Mack Wilberg.

The event will also introduce the extended Thiel family to the new Director of Thiel Choirs Thomas Wininger, D.M.A.

“I look forward to meeting members of the Thiel family as we embark on a new generation of Christmas Festival together,” Wininger said

All alumni and friends of the College are invited for a pre-concert dinner with Thiel student artists, faculty and staff.

For more information regarding the dinner, contact Director of Alumni Relations David Hummel ’83 to RSVP for the pre-concert dinner. The performance is free and no reservations are required.

Email Hummel to RSVP for the dinner!

The Christmas Festival is presented by the Department of Music & Theatre and features performances by the Thiel Choir, the Thiel College Chamber Singers and Thiel College instrumentalists performing alongside professional instrumentalists. Wininger directs the ensembles.

“For 67 years, the Thiel College Department of Music and Theatre has had the distinct privilege of ushering in the spirit of the season with music and worship for Greenville and our extended community of family and friends,” Chair of the Department of Music and Theatre Pete Rydberg, Ph.D., said. “This season’s theme reflects our religious traditions as a Lutheran institution. We are thrilled to collaborate with First Lutheran to connect with our Pittsburgh alumni and to serve the broader community through music and celebration of the season. Dr. Wininger, Pastor Riddle, and Director of Bands Brian Harris have crafted a memorable program as we move into the Christmas holiday.”

The 67th annual Christmas Festival is at 4 p.m. Dec. 8 in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center for the 67th year on December 8 at 4 p.m. The Christmas Festival is free and open to the public.