‘Carols at Christmas’ celebrates night of musical excellence at Southwestern Seminary

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary hosted its annual “Carols at Christmas Celebration” concert, Dec. 3, and featured many talented individuals from the School of Church Music and Worship.

The event, which marks the beginning of the Christmas season at the seminary, is eagerly anticipated by Southwesterners and the community alike. Concert admission was free and considered a gift from the music school to the Fort Worth community.

“As you hear our students and faculty, we want you to know that we have been praying literally for months that you would receive this time tonight as a gift,” Joseph R. Crider, dean of the School of Church Music and Worship, told the assembled crowd. “A musical gift as a ‘thank you’ for being here, but also as a musical gift in a way of the gift of the arts.”

“The arts are the most effective when they serve,” Crider continued, explaining that the purpose of such service is for the encouragement of others and to direct people to Jesus Christ. “That has been our prayer for the last several months. We are praying this evening that you would be encouraged and you would be pointed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

The evening featured performances of favorite Christmas songs and hymns as performed by more than 200 singers and instrumentalists. Performers included singers from the Southwestern Singers, the Master Chorale, and the International Children’s Choir. Featured instrumentalists included the Southwestern Brass Ensemble, Southwestern River of Praise worship band, Chamber Orchestra, Guitar Quartet, Trio Appassionato, Southwestern Steinway Players, Organists, and the Southwestern Academy Players.

Before the concert concluded, Crider specifically thanked Leo Day, executive director of Southwestern Seminary’s Center for the Arts, who produced the concert.

“We are so grateful for his vision for the arts,” Crider said before Day surprised the audience with a moving performance of “O Holy Night,” which concluded the event.

President Adam W. Greenway also addressed the audience, thanking them for their attendance and for their support of the talented men and women who prepared for the special night of worship and art during the Christmas season.

“We are truly blessed here at Southwestern Seminary with our School of Church Music and Worship,” Greenway said, noting the school’s history of training men and women in the arts and ministry. “Since 1915, [Southwestern Seminary] has been providing the highest level of training committed to biblical fidelity, musical excellence, and a commitment to ministry over mere performance.”

“What we have experienced tonight is not only a musically diverse presentation delivered with Christ-exalting excellence,” Greenway said, “but has truly been ministry through the medium of music, worship, and the arts.”