News Release
November 2001
(Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania) - Four local children have been selected to sing the solo
portions of the traditional Moravian hymn "Morning Star" at
the Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary Christmas Vespers
services later this fall.
The Moravian College Choir, conducted by David McConnell,
will perform during the services that will be held November 30, December
1, 2, and December 7, 8, 9, at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania. A preview concert will be held on Saturday, November 17,
at 8:00 p.m. in Foy Concert Hall on the Priscilla Payne Hurd Campus.
The following soloists were selected by the Moravian College
Music Department to sing at the annual vespers program:
Molly Dunn will be the featured Morning Star soloist at
the November 17th preview concert. She is the daughter of Barbara and
Rodger Dunn of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Molly is 12 years old and an
8th grade student at Moravian Academy Middle School.
Emily Gasda will be the featured Morning Star soloist
at the December 2 and 9 services. She is the daughter of Elise and Lawrence
Gasda of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Emily is 11 years old and a 6th grade
student at Northeast Middle School. Elise Gasda is an alumni from the
class of '77.
Martha Giesler will be the featured Morning Star soloist
at the November 30th and December 8th services. She is the daughter
of Tina and the Rev. J. Christian Giesler of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Martha is eight years old and is in the 3rd grade at Lincoln Elementary
School. Rev. Giesler is the Chaplain of Moravian College and the Moravian
Theological Seminary.
Fiona Gillespie will be the featured Morning Star soloist
at the December 1st and 7th services. She is the daughter of Alison
and Thomas Gillespie. Fiona is 13 years old and is in the 8th grade
at Southern Lehigh Middle School in the Southern Lehigh School District.
Alison Gillespie is an artist lecturer in the music department at Moravian
College.
Moravian Theological Seminary graduate Francis Florentine
Hagen composed "Morning Star" in 1836.The Morning Star hymn
is traditionally sung by a child soloist and each year. Auditions are
held for the positions in September.
The soloist, choir, and congregation join in singing the
hymn as the church lights are dimmed and the beeswax candles are distributed
by members of the college and seminary community. Moravian College's
tradition of celebrating the Christmas season with special vespers services
dates back to 1742.
The Christmas Vespers services are held for the immediate
college community and invited guests. Moravian College is a private,
coeducational, selective liberal arts college located in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania. Tracing its founding to 1742, it is recognized as America's
sixth-oldest college. Visit the web site at www.moravian.edu.
