Concordia Seminary will hold its annual Epiphany Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Participating in the celebration will be several vocal and instrumental groups from the Concordia Seminary community, including the Concordia Seminary Chorus, Pro Musica Sacra, Laudamus, Brass Choir and String Ensemble. The celebration will include an extended choral prelude of Christmas and Epiphany themes and a service of evening prayer.

As a special feature of the celebration, a setting of "Magnificat," composed by Richard Hillert, will be sung. The Concordia Seminary Chorus commissioned Hillert to compose the new setting, which will premiere during the celebration. Other compositions by Hillert, retired professor of music at Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., will be featured during the concert.

Rev. Henry Gerike, director of choirs at Concordia Seminary, will direct his new Christmas carol, "Gentle Stranger," which also will be premiered at the celebration. The carol will be joined by hymns and psalm settings involving the congregation throughout the whole service.

Special recognition will be given to pastors and church musicians of St. Louis area Lutheran churches. Because of their concentrated work during the church year, Concordia Seminary desires to express its appreciation for their work of proclaiming God's Word and leading God's people in worship and song.

A special reception following the concert will feature the debut of the Seminary Chorus' new CD, "Hope." The CD features the singing of the Centennial Chorus (2002), Laudamus (a smaller group of Chorus members) and the Seminary Chorus itself. Music contained on the CD includes "Seek the Lord" by Donald Busarrow, "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" and "Christ Is Arisen."

For more information, contact Lois M. Engfehr, Director of Communications, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63105; 314.505.7374; [email protected].