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Advent Now! to Perform Christmas Concert

Events, Music, News

Lee University’s musical ensemble Advent Now! will present a Christmas concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in The Lee University Chapel.

The ensemble will perform a variety of pieces, with musical styles including classical, jazz, pop, and gospel music, all in celebration of Christmas.

Advent Now! is a chamber ensemble composed of a select group of School of Music students and faculty, including Ellis Byrd, percussion; Noah Constance, viola; Lynnae Eades, piano; Caleb Manning, bass; Faith Miller, alto; Jordan Narkates, tenor; Mary Nerren, violin; Gregory Patty, violin; Hayden Rupert, bass; Allie Smith, soprano; Clay Smith, baritone; Alleigh Watson, soprano; and Emma Webb, cello. Dr. Austin Patty, professor of music theory at Lee, directs and plays violin in the group. span>

“It is exciting to be around a group of such gifted people who have a pure heart for evangelism and want to use their gifts to touch souls,” said Miller, a music major at Lee.

In previous years, Advent Now! has traveled to Japan to tour and perform concerts around the country, along with sharing the gospel. This year, due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, the trip was cancelled. However, the ensemble is recording this concert for Japanese churches, who have requested a video recording. They are also setting up meeti ngs in December with audiences in Japan.

“I am very excited that, even though we can’t be in Japan this December, we will be able to share our music in person,” said Patty. “With this one concert we will be sharing our music not only with our own community here in Cleveland, but also with all those who watch the video of the concert later in Japan.”

Advent Now! will also perform at churches in the United States that minister to Japanese people.

“I love the opportunity to make music with people who I maybe wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” said Watson, a voice performance major at Lee. “We all come from different ensembles and musical styles, but I love that we can all collaborate and have one common goal of spreading the love of Christ.”

This concert is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. All proceeds will go toward the December 2022 Japan trip.

For more information about Advent Now! or to donate, visit https://www.facebook.com/AdventNow.

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