Act 1

The Heart of Christmas

APB Matthew West

Directed by Cara Stewart

Featuring Annie Walker, Annie Redd; Ensemble: Rebekah Allen, Jillian Andersen, Aria Baker, Brylee Beckstead, Abigail Cox, Katie Green, Anjali Sandil, Annalise Johnson, Dutchlin Stull

I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer
I’m gonna stop here for a moment
Before the moment disappears

The world’s in a hurry this December
City streets and shopping malls
I wish we could slow down and remember
The meaning of it all

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas

Let’s make it feel the way it used to
Let’s find that wonder of a child
You can see the magic all around you
Come on, and open up your eyes

You can find it in the warm embrace of your family
Or calling up a long lost friend
You can even find it in the eyes of stranger
When you reach out a helping hand

In the shadow of a steeple
In a star that lights the way
You will find Him in a manger
The heart of Christmas has a name

I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can and cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it

Welcome

A Very Merry Christmas

By PinkZebra

Directed by Cara Stewart

Performed by Concert Choir and Chorale

I hear winter is callin’
Outside snow may be fallin’
We’ll stay warm by the fire inside.
Whoa
We’ll be happy together
Friends make everything better
And we know how to do this right
Together we’ll make the season bright, ‘cuz

Christmas is a time for cheer
So everybody gather near
And lift your voice for all to hear
‘cuz it’s the merriest time of the year
And Christmas is a time for love
You know the world can never have enough
So come along with us
And have a very merry Christmas, a very merry Christmas

Deck the halls with the holly
Let’s be joyful and jolly
You can put on a Santa hat
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
Play that Bing and Sinatra
It’s not Christmas without cha
Your songs welcome the season back
And this is where all the fun is at ‘cuz

Let’s enjoy these moments while they last
Everybody knows time goes by so fast
Let the music play
So we can share some joy today
hey, hey!

Fa la la la …

White Winter Hymnal

Arr. Alan Billingsley

Directed by Krista Carroll

Performed by Contessa

It should be noted that writer Robin Pecknold has stated that these lyrics are “fairly meaningless.” He has also stated that there is also a storyline. Based on these contradictory statements, audiences have been given implicit permission to interpret it however they’d like!

I was following the pack
All swallowed in their coats
With scarves of red tied ’round their throats
To keep their little heads
From fallin’ in the snow
And I turned ’round and there you go
And, Michael, you would fall
And turn the white snow red as strawberries
In the summertime

Tell Your Heart to Beat Again

Arr. Keith Mccauley, APB Danny Gokey

Directed by Krista Carroll

Performed by Contessa

Featuring Ciara Smith, Mia Stewart, Hannah Messineo, Addie Hansen, Lainey Gresham, Audrey Warnick

You’re shattered
Like you’ve never been before
The life you knew
In a thousand pieces on the floor
And words fall short in times like these
When this world drives you to your knees
You think you’re never gonna get back
To the you that used to be

Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday’s a closing door
You don’t live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you’ve been
And tell your heart to beat again

Beginning
Just let that word wash over you
It’s alright now
Love’s healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
‘Cause your story’s far from over
And your journey’s just begun

Let every heartbreak
And every scar
Be a picture that reminds you
Who has carried you this far
‘Cause love sees farther than you ever could
In this moment heaven’s working
Everything is for your good

Please Come Home for Christmas

Arr. Jen Butikofer; APB Eagles

Directed by Annie Roberts

John Orton, Ethan Carroll, Zac Hansen, Joshua Elison, Caleb Hessing, Jack Stone

Bells will be ringin’ the sad, sad news
Oh, what a Christmas to have the blues
My baby’s gone, I have no friends
To wish me greetings once again

Choirs will be singin’ Silent Night
Christmas carols by candlelight
Please come home for Christmas,
please come home for Christmas
If not for Christmas, by New Year’s night

Friends and relations send salutations
Sure as the stars shine above
But this is Christmas, yes, Christmas, my dear
Some time of year to be with the one you love

So won’t you tell me you’ll never more roam?
Christmas and New Year’s will find you home
There’ll be no more sorrow, no grief and pain
And I’ll be happy, happy once again

Ooh, there’ll be no more sorrow, no grief and pain
And I’ll be happy, Christmas once again

Underneath the Tree

Arr. Ed Lojeski; APB Kelly Clarkson

Directed by Brandi Cook

Performed by Bella Visi

Featuring Micah Beal, Jara Kirkham, Amelia Walker

You’re here where you should be
Snow is falling as the carolers sing
It just wasn’t the same
Alone on Christmas day
Presents, what a beautiful sight
Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight
You’re all that I need
Underneath the tree

Tonight (Tonight), I’m gonna hold you close (Ooh)
Make sure that you know (Know)
I was lost before you (Ooh)
Christmas was cold and grey (Ooh)
Another holiday (So alone)
Alone to celebrate

But then (But then), one day (One day)
Everything changed
You’re all I need
Underneath the tree

I found (I found) what I was looking for (Ooh)
A love that’s meant for me (Me)
A heart that’s mine completely (Ooh)
Knocked me right off my feet (Ooh)
And this year I will fall
With no worries at all

‘Cause you (‘Cause you) are near (Are near)
And everything’s clear
You’re all I need
Underneath the tree

And then, one day, everything changed
You’re all I need
Underneath the tree, yeah

You’re here where you should be (Oh yeah)
Snow is falling as the carolers sing (Oh, yeah, yeah)
It just wasn’t the same (Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Alone on Christmas day
Presents, what a beautiful sight (Oh, you’re all I need)
Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight (Underneath my tree)
You’re all that I need (Underneath my tree, yeah)
Underneath the tree, tonight

Oh, you’re all I need
Underneath, underneath the tree, oh

Somewhere In Your Silent Night

Arr. Rand Matheson; OPB Casting Crowns

Directed by Brandi Cook

Performed by Bella Visi

Featuring Julia Klassen, Callie Odom; Carter Roberts, cello

All is calm and all is bright
Everywhere but in your heart tonight
They’re singing carols of joy and peace
But you feel too far gone and too far out of reach

Somewhere in your silent night
Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried
Hope is here, just lift your head
For love has come to find you
Somewhere in your silent night

From heaven’s height to manger low
There is no distance the Prince of Peace won’t go
From manger low to Calvary’s hill
When your pain runs deep
His love runs deeper still
He has always loved you, child
And He always will

Somewhere in your silent night
Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried
Hope is here, just lift your head
For love has come to find you
Somewhere in your silent night

Lift your head
Lift your heart
Emmanuel will meet you where you are
He knows your hurt
He knows your name
And you’re the very reason that He came

Somewhere in your silent night
Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried
Hope is here, just lift your head
For love has come to find you
Somewhere in your silent night

Love will find you
Ooh, love will find you
Love will find you

Something to Believe In

OPB Parachute, Arr. Keith McCauley

Directed by Krista Carroll, Brandi Cook, Erika McCauley, Keith McCauley, Cara Stewart

Performed by Cantus Youth Choirs, featuring Patch Crowe

Cantus Youth Choirs presents this music video featuring the talented Patch Crowe from our winter semester of Season 12. Due to assembly restrictions during the pandemic, and in lieu of a live concert, Cantus produced three music videos: O Holy Night (featuring Melissa Heath), Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays; and Something to Believe In (featuring Patch Crowe). Cantus premiered these three videos, along with archived performances from the last several years, at an exclusive red carpet black tie event at the Eagle Luxe Reel Theater last Christmas. We share it again with you tonight for a couple of reasons. First, we have a lot of amazing music videos, audio recordings, and live performances on our website (cantusyouthchoirs.com/media). Many families like to create their own Cantus Christmas playlists for the holiday season! And secondly, we share this video with you as a gentle reminder to reflect on the gift that it is to gather and make live music together.

Little Drummer Boy

APB For King & Country

Directed by Keith McCauley

Performed by Fortis

Featuring Daxton Cook, snare; Landen Thomas, djun-djun; Peter Orton, djembe

Oh, oh

Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A newborn King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.
So to honour Him, pa rum pum pum pum
When we come.

Oh, oh

Little baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give a King, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum?

Oh, oh

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum,
Me and my drum

Don’t Be A Jerk! It’s Christmas

Arr. Roger Emerson

Directed by Keith McCauley

Performed by Fortis

Featuring Christopher Dunkley, Bryan Walker, Tyler Guptill, Joshua Elison; and a shopping cart from Idaho Youth Ranch

Do you know how hard it is to source a shopping cart? Sure, they’re littered across parking lots across the valley. Alone, abandoned, seemingly unwanted … but to actually TAKE one is theft. Also, it’s surprising how many stores will turn you down when you ask, “Can we use one of your shopping carts in a stage production?” The typical response: “We’d have to ask corporate if they’re ok with our logo appearing in your production, and we’d also have to do a content analysis to make sure that you’re not misrepresenting our brand.” [Subtext: No. It’s too much of a hassle.] I get it, I really do. And for the first time in my life, amazon.com failed to provide. Clearly, no one can fathom why you’d actually want to ship a full-sized shopping cart to your home. After fretting over it for 6+ weeks, I met Laurie, the manager at Idaho Youth Ranch in Eagle, a thrift store. I walked in, told her what we were doing and she said, “It’s for kids? Well, that’s what we do here. We help kids.” A few minutes later, I walked out with a legally sourced Christmas miracle! Enjoy!

Keith McCauley

Bring joy to the world, it’s the thing to do
But the world does not revolve around you
Don’t be a jerk
It’s Christmas

There’s a sign above the line that says Express
That means ten items or less
Don’t be a jerk (don’t be a jerk)
It’s Christmas

Be nice to babies and animals, old folks too
‘Cause that’s how you’d like them to treat you
Use turn signals, don’t screen my calls
Don’t you wreck my house when you deck the halls

Spit your gum where it won’t wind up on my shoe
Squeeze toothpaste from the bottom of the tube.
Don’t be a jerk (don’t be a jerk)
It’s Christmas
It’s Christmas!

When others are talking never interrupt
Don’t put people down or leave the toilet seat up
It’s the time for family and holly and turkey
‘Tis the season to be jolly not jerky (jolly not jerky)

Don’t dig in the cereal box for goodness sakes
Take the prize and leave me nothing but flakes
Don’t be a jerk (don’t be a jerk)
It’s Christmas

Santa brought nearly every gift on your list
Why whine about the one that he missed?
Don’t be a jerk (don’t be a jerk)
It’s Christmas
It’s Christmas!

Don’t be a jerk (don’t be a jerk)
It’s Christmas
Don’t be a jerk (don’t be a jerk)
It’s Christmas

This Is Christmas

APB Kutless

Directed by Krista Carroll and Shanna Gardiner

Featuring Brittin Thomas, Lexi Beal; Descant: Paige Anderson, Cami Atwood, Brylee Beckstead, Dayson Bourn, Lillian Flatten, Maren Gardiner, Devery Gerrish, Camrey Hebdon, Audrey Hessing, Thatcher Huffaker, Bethany Jimenez, Annie Johnson, Grant Lyon, Ainsley Mahan, Luci McCracken, Mara Murray, Audrie Seamons, Adisyn Singleton, Naya Squires, Annabelle Tietz, Scarlett Tietz, Afton Tippets, Lena Twitchell, Liana Volkov, Oksana Volkov

Do you find it hard to sleep tonight
Resting by the Christmas lights?
Could there be something you forgot?

Beyond the bows and mistletoe
The tree with presents wrapped below
There’s more to this than you had ever thought
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

What is Christmas?
If there never was a savior wrapped in a manger
What is Christmas without Christ?

Remember how the story goes
God’s gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes
Beneath the star, one great and holy night

The shepherds heard the angels sing
The wise man brought an offering
Peace on Earth began in Bethlehem
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

What is Christmas?
If there never was a savior wrapped in a manger
What is Christmas?
If the angels never sang
Glory to the new born king?
What is Christmas without Christ?

There’d be no Gloria
In excelsis deo
Gloria
In excelsis deo
What is Christmas?
(Joy to the world)
If there never was a savior wrapped in a manger
(Joy to the world)
What is Christmas without Christ?

This is Christmas
It’s all about the savior wrapped in a manger
(Joy to the world)
This is Christmas because of Jesus Christ
(Gloria)
This is Christmas
(In excelsis deo)
Because of Christ
(In excelsis deo)
Because of Christ

Announcing Intermission and Introducing VoiceOver

Joy to the World

Arr. Paul Langford; APB Pentatonix

Directed by Keith McCauley and Annie Roberts

Performed by VoiceOver

Featuring Davis Cook, bass; Spencer Perry, vocal percussion

Joy to the world!
Joy to the world! Oh, woah

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world!
Joy to the world! Oh

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Joy to the world then we sing
Let the earth receive her King!
Joy to the world then we sing
Let the angel voices ring

Joy to the world then we sing
Let the men their songs employ
Joy to the world then we sing
And repeat the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
(and makes the nations prove)
And glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love

Joy to the world then we sing
Let the earth receive her King
Joy to the world then we sing
Let the angel voices ring

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Arr. McKay Crockett; APB VocalPoint

Directed by Keith McCauley and Annie Roberts

Performed by VoiceOver

Featuring Addi Chandler, lead; Davis Cook, bass

Infant holy, infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging angels singing,
bells are ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the child is Lord of all!
Christ the child is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
In the fields their vigil true.
Saw the glory, heard the story
Which should bless the world anew.
Christians kneeling and appealing
For the healing truth, revealing
That the Babe is born for you.

Starts were gleaming, shepherds dreaming
Tho the night was dark and chill
Angel story, manger glory,
Shepherds heard it on the hill.
Ah, that singing, hear it ringing,
earthward winging, praises bringing.
Christ the babe was born for you,
Christ the babe was born for you.
Christ the babe was born for you.

Intermission

The show will continue after a 13 minute break.