Gehlen Catholic Celebrates Advent with 3 Concerts In the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of preparation for the coming of Christ’s birth at Christmas.  During the four weeks of Advent, Gehlen Catholic’s Instrumental & Vocal Music Department will hold three different concerts. The Advent journey begins with Christmas Vespers.  Vespers, a musical journey from Advent to Christ’s birth, will be celebrated on Thursday, December 13th.  Vespers will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. at All Saints’ Catholic Church – St. Joseph’s LeMars site.  This year’s Vespers Concert is entitled “A Spotless Rose.”  7-12th Grade Choir Director, Mrs. Terra Falkena of Hospers, noted, “We like to create a very prayerful, reflective environment with Vespers each year so audience members can take time to truly reflect on the meaning of the season. It is hard to just stop and think about the gift of Christ’s birth amid the hustle and bustle.  Vespers provides that experience.”  This year, the Junior High Choir has increased their focus on learning how to read music, rehearse & being more reflective musicians. This has decreased the amount of time the vocalists would have invested in learning a piece original to the 7-12 mass choir. Therefore, the junior high choirs have chosen whether or not they wish to participate in the mass 7-12 choir selection.  The junior high vocalists who have committed to singing in the mass 7-12 choir are learning the music on their own.  Mrs. Falkena exclaimed, “This gives some of the incredibly hard junior high vocalist a chance to stand out!”  Refreshments will follow Vespers in Richter Hall as a way to extend the glorious evening.  Proceeds from the free will donations will go to purchase choir robe bags.  Again this year, Mrs. Falkena is assisted by Rev. Paul Eisele of LeMars. 

The Advent journey continues with the 5-12th Grade Instrumental Music Concert on Wednesday, December 19th at 7:00 p.m., in the Deb Campbell Gym.  The concert will feature selections by Gehlen Catholic’s 5th & 6th, & 7th-12th Grade Concert Bands.   Since WorldStrides Heritage Performance & the Valero Alamo Bowl staff cannot guarantee the broadcast of the 2018 Valero Alamo Bowl halftime on December 28th, 5th- 12th Grade Instrumental Music Director, Mr. Paul Niebuhr of LeMars, said the 7th-12th Grade Band will perform the Bowl’s halftime music – “Havana” & “Despacito”  - during the concert.  Equally if not more so important, the Gehlen Catholic Instrumental Music Department will thank the Fine Arts Boosters for their investment in the new marching percussion, the department’s many benefactors & major donors.  This year’s Advent celebration concludes with the Gehlen Catholic Kindergarten through 6th Grade (K-6) Vocal Music Concert & Mini-Vespers on Thursday, December 20th, also at 7:00 p.m. in the Deb Campbell Gym.  Mrs. Jean Zenk of Alton, K-6 Choir Director, noted the elementary students will sing a variety of songs.  Mrs. Zenk explained, “Our focus during the second half of the concert is on Advent & the meaning of each of the candles. Scripture readings & vocal selections will be incorporated.  Each grade will also perform their own separate piece with a variety of instruments ranging from maracas to chimes to bucket drums, etc. which were newly purchased by the Gehlen Catholic Fine Arts Boosters.”  Mrs. Zenk is assisted by Gehlen Catholic Librarian, Mrs. Miranda Bickford of LeMars. KLEM AM & FM Radio will again rebroadcast a portion of both the 5th through 12th Grade Instrumental Music Advent Concert & Christmas Vespers prior to Christmas.  See KLEM’s website for exact details. Gehlen Catholic School strives to promote an openness to God, to promote a quality education & to instill Catholic values in a caring, challenging, & prayerful environment.