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DECATUR, Ill. — The warmth of candlelight, the sound of soaring voices, and the spirit of the season will once again fill Kirkland Fine Arts Center as presents Vespers, a treasured holiday celebration featuring more than 200 musicians.

Performances are set for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now at  or by calling 217-424-6318. 

Now in its 66th year, Vespers has become one of Central Illinois’ most anticipated holiday events -- a joyful gathering of community, tradition and artistry. The program blends beloved carols, inspiring new arrangements, and classical choral masterworks performed by �鶹Լ��’s acclaimed choirs, instrumental ensembles and faculty artists.

“This is the performance that truly brings our campus and community together,” said Dr. Benjamin Hawkinson, Director of Choral Activities. “There’s a moment each year when the lights dim, the first notes rise, and you can feel the entire audience breathe in harmony. That’s Vespers.”

Vespers is more than a concert -- it’s a tradition. Families, alumni and first-time visitors alike return year after year to mark the beginning of the holiday season with this unforgettable experience.

Each performance transforms Kirkland Fine Arts Center into a space of reflection and celebration. Audiences can expect a mix of festive favorites and sacred works, illuminated by candlelight and framed by the energy of more than two hundred voices and instruments united in song.