DECATUR, Ill. — The warmth of candlelight, the sound of soaring voices, and the spirit of the season will once again fill Kirkland Fine Arts Center as Millikin University presents Vespers, a treasured holiday celebration featuring more than 200 musicians.
Performances are set for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now at millikin.universitytickets.com or by calling 217-424-6318.
Now in its 66th year, Vespers has become one of Central Illinois’ most anticipated holiday events -- a joyful gathering of community, tradition and artistry. The program blends beloved carols, inspiring new arrangements, and classical choral masterworks performed by Millikin’s acclaimed choirs, instrumental ensembles and faculty artists.
“This is the performance that truly brings our campus and community together,” said Dr. Benjamin Hawkinson, Director of Choral Activities. “There’s a moment each year when the lights dim, the first notes rise, and you can feel the entire audience breathe in harmony. That’s Vespers.”
Vespers is more than a concert -- it’s a tradition. Families, alumni and first-time visitors alike return year after year to mark the beginning of the holiday season with this unforgettable experience.
Each performance transforms Kirkland Fine Arts Center into a space of reflection and celebration. Audiences can expect a mix of festive favorites and sacred works, illuminated by candlelight and framed by the energy of more than two hundred voices and instruments united in song.
