Students said the Christmas devotional in the Cannon Activity Center on Dec. 3, which featured choir and band performances, illustrated music’s unifying and spiritual power.
As musical groups like Shaka Steel, concert choir and the university chorale sang and performed, they testified of Christ’s birth and ministry here on Earth. The program was hosted by Kristl Densley, an assistant professor of theatre. Throughout the performance, Densley shared scriptures narrating the story of the Nativity and Christ’s Gospel.
Wearing red aloha shirts, the concert choir started the program with “Joy to the World,” followed by Shaka Steel with “Patapan.” Then a piano duet consisting of students Nawaporn Ruangthap and Hikari Domon played a mix of “March” and “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker.
Sam Tobon, a junior from Colombia studying human resources and a member of concert choir, said he thought sharing music was one of the fastest ways for people to feel the Spirit.
“I think that’s why so many different cultures and religions sing because there’s something in music beyond the words and rhythm. I think specifically singing about Christ makes it so much more powerful.”
The university chorale, standing brightly in white, sang “See Amid the Winter’s Snow.” Melissa Glenn came next with a solo, performing, “I See a Flower,” accompanied by a small string section.
Following Glenn, the street band played, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” starting with just a single bell, progressing into a full brass performance. The salsa orchestra played “The First Noel,” bringing in groovy and upbeat tones.
Loa Hila, a sophomore from Papua New Guinea studying social work, shared she felt the variety of musical performances welcomed the Spirit into the CAC.
“[The music] invited the Spirit, and everyone was just kind of sucked into it, and you could feel it. I was telling my roommate that it would be wonderful to have this spirit all of the time. It was just very spiritual, and even though there were no talks, the music made the whole difference.”
Summer Daly, a freshman from Maryland studying biology and a member of concert choir, said, “The songs were great, and I loved the variety we had. It wasn’t just on pianos, some had steel instruments, or some were strings, and we had different singers. It was just nice that it brought in all different aspects of Christmas.”
The gift of music
Daly explained that this devotional was unique due to the musical aspect and expressed that music can manifest feelings to many people.
“I liked how it was musically centered, and I feel like that touches the soul in ways that words can’t. I thought it was a very appropriate thing to do for the Christmas devotional.
At the end of the devotional, the audience was invited to join in singing, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” filling the room with the collective voice of BYUH. Tobon shared this stood out to him because it was an interactive experience for the audience.
“If you think about it, most of the time, devotionals are not very interactive besides the hymn. With this one, it is very interactive. You know who is up there singing or playing the saxophone. So, you do have a stronger connection to the performers, and you get to sing with them to unify all of us. I think that gets us more into the Christmas spirit.”
Tobon also pointed out that this unifying experience illustrates the purpose hymnals used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said hymns aim to bring members together through music and provide an avenue for the Spirit to manifest freely.
The introductory page in the Church of Jesus Christ Hymnal says, “The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.
“Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.”