Northwestern’s Annual Holiday Gala Set for Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in Herod Hall

November 24, 2025

Members of the Northwestern Choir sing during the Holiday Gala last year. This year’s concert is Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall.

Northwestern symphonic band members play Christmas music at last year’s Holiday Gala in Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall. This year’s event is Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. A tree lighting ceremony is planned on the lawn following the concert.

ALVA, Okla. -- The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Fine Arts Department welcomes everyone to its annual Holiday Gala at Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.

Admission is free, and the public is invited to join Northwestern in celebrating community, music and holiday cheer.

“This long-standing seasonal tradition will bring together students, faculty, guest artists and young singers for an evening of festive music and celebration,” said Kane Bradley, instructor of music and director of choral studies.

This year’s program for the choir features a varied collection of holiday favorites and choral masterworks. Audiences will hear timeless classics such as “The First Noel,” “We Three Kings” and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” along with international selections including André Thomas’ spirited “African Noel” and the Renaissance work “O Magnum Mysterium” by Tomás Luis de Victoria. Additional highlights include Alfred Burt’s beloved carols “Caroling, Caroling” and “Christ in the Stranger’s Guise,” as well as lively arrangements of traditional seasonal tunes.

Guest instrumentalists will join the choirs throughout the evening, adding unique color and texture to the performances.

Northwestern’s Symphonic Band also will present a joyful program of seasonal favorites. Audience members will hear “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Leroy Anderson’s iconic “Sleigh Ride,” and fresh arrangements of beloved carols such as “Jingle Bells,” “O Christmas Tree,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “O Holy Night,” and many more.

In addition to the Symphonic Band, the Holiday Gala will showcase a variety of ensembles from the instrumental music program, highlighting the talent and hard work of Northwestern’s music students.

A featured jazz combo will also perform, adding a spirited and stylish twist to the evening’s lineup.

“The annual Holiday Gala has become a cherished tradition for both the campus and the surrounding communities,” said Alexander Perkins, instructor of instrumental music and director of bands. “Attendees can expect a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and a wide array of musical styles that capture the spirit of the season.”

The Gala will conclude with a special collaborative finale: “Child’s Prayer,” originally performed by the band Chicago, presented by the combined Northwestern choirs, guest instrumentalists and a children’s chorus.

Immediately following the concert, guests are invited to gather on the lawn of Herod Hall, where a decorated Christmas tree will be ready to light up the Northwestern holiday season.

For more information about the Holiday Gala or music programs, contact Bradley at (580) 327-8692 or jkbradley@nwosu.edu, Perkins at (580) 327-8191 or agperkins@nwosu.edu, or visit the Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts online at www.nwosu.edu/fine-arts.

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