A beloved Salina tradition continues this Sunday Dec. 5, when Kansas Wesleyan presents this year’s edition of Christmas by Candlelight.
According to the school, “Born for Us on Earth Below” will take place at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Sams Chapel, and admission is free.
“It’s wonderful to be returning to an in-person ‘Christmas by Candlelight,’” said Dr. James McAllister, chair of the department of Music. “Our faculty and students have worked extremely hard, and been supported by tremendous efforts across the university. We’re also honored to be joined by four local high school choirs for this annual tradition.”
KWU’s Music department will indeed be joined by choirs from Sacred Heart, Salina South, Salina Central and Southeast of Saline high schools for the production. Doors will open one hour prior to each performance, and seating is first-come, first-serve.
The tradition of a Christmas concert at KWU dates back, at minimum, to the 1950s, when the philharmonic choir would put on its annual “Yule Program.” While there were periodic mentions of candlelight in the title during ensuing decades, the “Christmas by Candlelight” title came into existence for good in 1982.
The 2022 concert will mark the event’s 40th anniversary.
