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The music of The Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival is key to the production!  Apostles is blessed by many musicians in all areas who have rehearsed many hours in preparation for this year’s production.  The Festival Schola Cantorum, Brass Ensemble, String Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Handbells, antique cymbals, organist, pianists, vocal and instrumental soloists and three conductors give of themselves to create a production that brings the message of the birth of Christ home to the heart. 

The following is a list of the music in this year’s production:

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Words: 12^th century Latin; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, alt.

Music:  15^th century French processional; arr. John Ferguson, b. 1941

 

The Boar’s Head Carol   

Words: Variant of Wynken de Worde’s New Christmas Carolles of 1521

Music: attr. Richard Smert, 1435-1477; arr. James Carmichael, b. 1944

 

Good King Wenceslas        

Words: John Mason Neale, 1818-1866

Music: from Piae Cantiones; arr. James Carmichael, b. 1944

 

Deck the Halls                             

Words: Welsh traditional                                                     

Music: Welsh carol

 

The 12 Days of Christmas

Words: English traditional                                   

Music: English carol; arr. John Rutter, b. 1945

 

The Wassail Carol  

Words: English traditional; st. 7 Christopher Handlee Vige, b. 1947

Music: English carol; harm. James Carmichael, b. 1944

 

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella   

Words: French traditional                                                   

Music: French carol; arr. Howard Helvey, b. 1968

 

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Words: from The Gloria; 4^th century Latin                                                        

Music: K. Lee Scott, b. 1950

 

Angels We Have Heard on High

Words: French carol; tr. Henri Frederick Hemy,The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864

Music: French carol; arr. Edward Shippen Barnes, 1887-1958

 

Song of the Shepherds

Words: based on Luke 2:14-15                           

Music: Lloyd Larson, b. 1954

 

Winter Solstice Carol 

Words: Giles Swayne, b. 1946                             

Music: William Beckstrand, b. 1962

 

We Three Kings                          

Words: John Henry Hopkins, Jr. 1820-1891, alt.

Music: John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1820-1891; arr. Craig Courtney, b.

 

Adoramus te                               

Words: traditional Latin

Music: Jacob Clemens non Papa, c. 1510-1556; ritornello, James Carmichael, b. 1944

 

O Come, All Ye Faithful 

Words: John Francis Wade, 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, and others

Music: attr. John Francis Wade, 1711-1786; harm.The English Hymnal, 1906

 

 

Come . . . listen. . . . experience the Boar’s Head Festival.  It is not a story of tunes and times past and gone.  It is a living story told by modern day minstrels and echoed in all of us.

The Gloria is a new music selection this year, a stunning piece with choreography that fills the senses with wonder and awe as we begin to tell the story of the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World. The beautiful and graceful Archangel enters the worship center, dancing towards the infant Jesus. The Archangel brings the Cherubim forward and they gather excitedly around Mary to see the baby Jesus. The Seraphim move forward angelically to pay reverence to the child. What awe must have filled the place of Jesus’ birth as all the angels sang and danced! In great celebration, we sing Angels We Have Heard on High as the Seraphim gather above and around the crèche that cradles Jesus.
Wait! We hear the wonderful sound of the Song of the Shepherds and see the shepherds enter, seeking their sheep. They are called to come to the manger to see the Christ Child that has been born. They come in great reverence and gather around the crèche.

The Merry Makers come forward with their colorful ornaments to help the Royal Family decorate the large Christmas Tree during the 12 Days of Christmas song. Some believe this song was written to help teach children the tenets of their faith – with each ornament symbolizing a part of the Christian faith. Others believe it is a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. There is no strong evidence to support or disprove either explanation. Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage and remember that the grace of God works to transform many lives in our world – including ours! And after all, isn’t that the real meaning of Christmas?
We see the tree so beautifully decorated and hear the blended sounds of the Boar’s Head Quartet as they sing The Wassail Carol and greet everyone present. The Merry Makers join them to welcome all to this festive occasion and wish everyone “Love and Joy, God’s blessings and a Happy New Year.”
The Boar’s Head Quartet exits, and we hear the joyful music of “Bring a Torch.” The Merry Makers set the stage and we anticipate the telling of the beautiful story of the birth of Christ, the Light of the World.

We hear the sound of jingle bells as the children bring in the beautiful sled that holds the Yule Log – and a child riding the log!  The Yule Log is the happiest and brightest of medieval holiday customs.  The log was gathered with ceremony, and brought with hope to the home hearth where it was kindled from embers from the old year’s fire.  Its blazing warmth spoke of rekindled love and promise for the year to come.  The Yule Log, representing the warmth of the family fireside and the continuance of human life and concern, has from the earliest…

Continue reading The Yule Log Children & the Royal Family …

Led by love and concern, Good King Wenceslas and his Pages sing of Christian ideals in daily life when people care for one another. King Wenceslas and his Pages sing sing the popular carol “Good King Wenceslas” – a carol that tells the legend of a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen. During the journey, his Pages are about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by the heat miraculously emanating from the king’s footprints in the snow. The legend Is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia.

If you would like to help us spread the word about this year’s festival, please print these cards out and pass them out to your friends and family. You could also use them to get a group together for one of the performances, as well. And don’t forget to “like” our facebook page www.facebook.com/apostlesfestivalfor all the latest news and updates.

Here’s the link to download the original “word file” of the postcard:

Boar’s Head Postcard Word Document

 

 

This is the motto for the Boar’s Head Festival. The Festival is filled with beautiful music, colorful costumes, pageantry and merriment. Throughout the production, however, lies the real meaning of Christmas. From the time the Sprite brings the Light of Christ into the Worship Center, this wonderful production builds to the staging of the Nativity and the gift God has given to us in Christ. That is our hope – that each one who comes to this Festival will leave with the Light illuminating their path in the coming year. Soli Deo Gloria – to God alone be the glory!

You are invited  to our 2011 performances. . .
Friday, December 2, 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 3, 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 4, 4:00 PM

There is no admission charge, no tickets are needed, and no reserved seating.

As you arrive for the Boar’s Head Festival, you are welcomed by the wonderful sound of Christmas carols played by the Brass Ensemble. As you enter the Worship Center, the Gowned Ladies and Gracious Gent welcome, guide and provide programs to everyone. ALL are welcome to come and relax, learn from the information shared in the program and settle in until the production begins. There is no charge or reserved seating.

The Boar’s Head Festival is a very special and creative production. Those who work behind the scenes have been vital to the overall success of this production, now in its 6th year.

In the weeks prior to the performances, the 150 colorful costumes are ironed, sorted and so much more by the “costume party crew” to prepare the costumes for the production; the publicity task force has worked to get the word out to the community and invite ALL to attend; new costumes and props needed are designed and created; the Boar’s Head is attached to his litter and decorated; the trees are assembled and covered with lights; and the programs are printed.

Prior to each performance, the “Cast Mum” has her basket of “extras” ready in case there is a backstage costume emergency; the “official” photographers and videographer are prepared to take the wonderful performance and backstage photos that we enjoy each year; the costumes are in each dressing room in Theisz Hall; and the props managers have checked their list that every prop is in its place.

During each performance, the Backstage Coordinators have production charts in hand and are positioned at the back of the Worship Center, ready to efficiently send the cast members in on cue; several individuals are with the young children in Theisz Hall and keep them entertained between their performance times; the person in charge of lighting is ready to follow his script; and the individual at the sound board records each performance and makes sure the microphones are properly adjusted.

So many individuals give of their gifts in so many ways . . . all for the glory of God!