There are few things more festive than an evening of Christmas music, warm drinks and good company. Oklahoma Christian University’s music department will bring this Christmas spirit to campus tonight in Baugh Auditorium with its 43rd annual Cocoa and Carols.
This longstanding tradition has become a mainstay in Oklahoma Christian’s Christmas celebrations. Choirs and bands across the music department will unite this evening at 7 p.m. for the festive celebration.
Junior Nash Scott will be performing with the Chamber Singers and said he believes the event helps share the Christmas spirit with the campus and the community.
“When you think of Christmas, one of the first things you think about is the music,” Scott said. “People want to hear music. They want to be warm and snuggled up listening to some good Christmas music. Cocoa and Carols is all about hearing the sound of Christmas music.”
In addition to performances from the music department, special guest Wintley Phipps will take the stage. Phipps is a two-time Grammy-nominated vocal artist who has released 27 albums. He has sung for six United States presidents, Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa. In addition, Phipps has performed for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
“We know [Phipps] through Mo Anderson, one of our beloved donors,” Scott said. “She is friends with Phipps and invited him to [Cocoa and Carols]. She previously invited him to a party she hosted for the Oklahoma Christian choirs, so we were able to meet him. He is an amazing bass.”
Scott said the event is a great opportunity for people of all ages across campus and throughout the community to get into the holiday spirit.
“[Cocoa and Carols] really relates to the old tradition of slowing down and focusing on the holiday,” Scott said. “Plus, you get free hot chocolate and cider. It’s a nice, warming event.”
Additionally, he recommends Cocoa and Carols to students as a study break from their stressful schedules and a way to remember what Christmas is about.
“There is not much to it, but that is exactly why it is nice,” Scott said. “It’s a moment to take a pause, drink some hot chocolate, listen to the sound of Christmas and just hang out for a bit. Plus, the music is all about the glorification of Christ. It’s refreshing.”
Junior Lexi Robinson will be singing during Cocoa and Carols and said she looks forward to the more intimate nature of the performance.
“I love Cocoa and Carols because the music surrounds the audience,” Robinson said. “The choir stands in the aisles and sings right in the audience. I’m looking forward to singing songs like Patapan Fantasia and African Noel.”
Robinson shared how the different traditions during Cocoa and Carols make the evening special.
“One of my favorite parts is the ‘snowflakes’ which fall into the audience during our performance,” Robinson said. “It is so fun and makes the night so special. The audience can also sing along and jingle your keys in some songs, so that also makes it fun.”
Sophomore Aliyah Masumbu sings with the chorale and said she appreciates the variety of music being performed this year.
“We are singing all different styles of songs,” Masumbu said. “We like to share all these types of music with the audience.”
This year’s event will feature classic Christmas songs as well as eastern Christmas music. The University Chorale, Chamber Singers, women’s choir, chamber orchestra, symphonic band and jazz band will perform.
Admission to the event is free, with complimentary cocoa and cider served during intermission.
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