Christmas At St. Olaf: Ris'n With Healing In His Wings

For many people, the celebration of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season begins with the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a century-old tradition at St. Olaf College.

The first festival was a musical program for the college community, planned and directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Music Department. The festival continues as an expression of the College's rich musical heritage.

Recorded on campus, "Christmas At St. Olaf: Ris'n With Healing In His Wings" features lively and festive music, including "Gloria" by Andre J. Thomas - a work arranged for massed choir, soloists, and a full orchestra in a gospel musical style.

Other music includes familiar Christmas carols, beautiful and contemplative choral anthems, and rollicking orchestral flourishes.

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St. Olaf Orchestra musicians play during the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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St. Olaf Orchestra musicians play during the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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St. Olaf Choir performs at the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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Members of Viking Chorus sing during the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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St. Olaf Chapel Choir performs at the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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Steven Amundson conducts the Massed Choirs and St. Olaf Orchestra, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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Anton Armstrong conducts the Massed Choirs and St. Olaf Orchestra, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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Anton Armstrong, conductor of St. Olaf Choir and artistic director of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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Anton Armstrong leads the audience in a hymn along with St. Olaf Chapel Choir at the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Northfield, Minn.

Courtesy of St. Olaf College

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Presented by Twin Cities Public Television. Distributed by American Public Television.